


Class3 F/3LI_ 

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Copyright N°3 s - [ 

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MY PROOF 
OF IMMORTALITY 


With My Demised Act. 


By SHAKESPEARE'S SPIRIT 



The Torch Press, Inc. 
New York 





Copyrighted 
All Rights Reserved 
The TORCH PRESS, Inc. 
New York 

1924 



AUG -6 1924 ' 

Cl A 8 0 12 61 


k 


MY PROOF 
OF IMMORTALITY 


With My Demised Act. 

My soul part, and, my sole part. 
Dictated by my soul, to her 
Who took my former leaves. 

By word of mouth, the same. 

My signature the same. 

(Sir) Wm. Shakespeare. His spirit part. 

By the Grace of God. In Whom I trust. 

In the year 1924 A.D. 



The Torch Press, Inc. 
New York 


“The progress of civilization RESTS on the 
proof of immortality.” 


Wm. Shakespeare in Spirit 

(direct voice to S. T. S.) 


Preface 


TO JEW AND GENTILE, CATHOLIC OR PROTESTANT, 
FROM SHAKESPEARE IN SPIRIT 

First: This work, of souls, for souls, is FOR religions (S. 
Sarah). For all are not yet One, while One IS Father OF all. 
Souls. Alive WITH bodies, or, BESIDE bodies, AS alive as 
before this change which changed our POSITIONS in life, as 
our substances. (S, make it) 

Second: ALL should BE saved, in peace, FOR God. Until 
wars of religions (minds) cease, wars of Nations will not cease. 

Third: SOULS must work FOR their betterment here AS 
hereafter (you call it so) (but it is here) 

MY proof is substantial; enduring AS GOD. MY leaves 
have never died! 

If this I leave, must leave, what you may glean therefrom will 
benefit YOUR souls. 

I make this statement FOR God AND His intent. I have 
not died! 

To FATHER the race, which HE did, imparting TO it HIS 
image, spirit, BY His Grace, POWER, was to fit HIMSELF 
inTO your beings, souls IN cases this day. Summons to witness 
your BETTER parts, OF His, that you MAY profit BY 
(through) my demise (demense were better here perhaps) OF 
Him, yet NOT His Own, is impossible. He IS GOD. Time 
only tells HIS secrets, mayhap, for I know not, being Shake¬ 
speare still. 

Then IF I have NOT died, I AM here, able IN mind, that 
PART of His saved through His Own power, AFTER death, 
dying, grave raiment, and the like of these. 

Monuments are poor if recorded ON these are sentences of 
derision FOR His works, inCLUDING bones. Mine nevermore 
did appal me AFTER that change OF dying, let me say. To dig 
AT graves such as hearts IN bodies dead to all He did contrive 
FOR ye, is to deal with those dead TO Him in body cones. 

Pray FOR minds, sound, UNtainted BY subdiversions. God¬ 
less ones dissect His minds IN bodies, explaining all, when they 


V 


themselves distrust Him AND His Own breath, soul, yet they do 
use His nomenclatures as smugglers hide THEIR spoils. His 
subdivisions, elements OF Mind, Himself, UNdiscernible quite 
from OUR spheres NOW. Then HOW can ye pick at His 
reason, OR his reasoning processes the least, say I. 

Will ye find BUT that ye did claim FOR Him at His door, 
I tell ye here. Minds of the insane ones, have ye suffered them 
to FIND theirs that was, is still, lost to THEM, I ask here. If 
ye have not, AND ye HAVE not, then pry open THAT distract 
beFORE ye PLANT in other minds all YOUR surmises sup¬ 
planting His work, His hand for aught I know. 

These wiseless ones smack with learning, psychoanalysing His 
UNseen parts OF Himself (soul-analysing that which ye do not 
pray exists?) then befuddling ALL minds with the scope OF 
reasoning powers, like UNto Him, since He alone CAN give, 
take, wwsnarl, restore in the least those parts OF his, Mind’s 
minds. The mind! What more you ask, I SAY what more. 
Reason ye not at all withOUT Him. For unless, until, ye 
inCLUDE HIM Who IS God, the Creator, invisible for aught 
I know though A spirit OF His, here this hour. Tomes have ye 
written, alas, of NO use TO Him, all who belittle Him, deny 
Him, Crucify Him, in the least. BEYOND your power TO 
reason, He adjusts His Almighty scales. Adds, subtracts, divides 
beYOND your POWERS of wisdom to relate, or comprehend 
Him. Souls wait upON Him Who is God. FOR His reason, 
OR His plan. For I know NOT here. 

Dying solves much that ye WOULD hear past help OF mine. 
Opening, closing, HIS portals, each hour, FOR ye IN bodies. 
In so much as He LEFT Himself TO reason, as reason I do 
FOR ye though a shade I am become, He WILLS that mind OF 
His SHALL inherit Him at last. I weep for LACK of power 
here. To beware ye, souls IN bodies still. OF His breath, still. 
When speech is lacking, for which ye think He GAVE ye life, 
as ye smite Him with your every breath, men of learning 
GREATER THAN His, will ye recall MY powers here, able 
TO perform FOR ye AND Him, that ye BE rewarded at His 
final curtain. His last call, yea. 

My plea FOR souls, all, all alike in bodies. 

Shakespeare’s UNdying part, His. 

(To S T. S. Direct Voice) 

VI 


CONTENTS 

PART I 

MY Proof of Immortality 
By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


To Those Who Call ME “Dead". Sonnet. 1 

OUR Lord, Jesus Christ. 1 

To All Who Doubt My Cause IS His:. 4 

To the Holy Fathers:. 6 

Sonnet: To All Who Claim My Output Is NOT Me: . 6 

To UNbelievers, Scoffers, And The Like OF These:. 7 

To “Die" . 7 

The Flight OF Souls. 9 

Sonnet: At Peace.. 11 

Sonnet: Divinity Is All... 11 

Sonnet: The Quest FOR Life. 12 

Sonnet: The Temple OF The Soul. 12 

Voiceless Death . 13 

Sonnet: Hymn OF Hate. 13 

Sonnet: Providence Divine . 14 

Sonnet: IMprovidence . 14 

Sonnet: Life’s REnewal. 15 

Sonnet: Time (His Eternal Clock). 15 

Starvation . 16 

Sonnet: Fellowship . 17 

“God of The LIVING” (Bible). 17- 

To A Blurb:. 18 

Sonnet: One Eternal Balance. 20 

The Divinity OF Good. 20 ^ 

Abundance (His Supply). 21 

Sonnet: Jewry . 21 

Sonnet: To Art. 22 

Sonnet: To Artists . 23 

Sonnet: MY Juliet.. 23 

Sonnet: Grief . 26 

Sonnet: The Awful Truth. 26 

“Now a Rhyme". 27 

Sonnet: Hopatcong Lake. 29 

Sonnet: Such IS The Human Heart. 30 

Sonnet: Forgive each other. If there be a cloud. 30 

Creation’s Divisions . 31 

The Power TO Heal. 32 


VII 







































PAGE 


Altitude (Thought’s Altitude). 

The Wheel OF Time. 

Silent Prayer (Intercession OF Divinity). 

His LAW . 

The Joys Of The Kingdom. 

Love’s Eternal Song. 

To Those Who Will Find This:. 

The LIVING “Dead”... 

The Great Recorder. 

Salutation To The Sun.•. 

Where? . 

To BE Born Again. 

A Cure-All FOR Pain. 

Worlds Afar (To Evolutionists). 

Science . 

The Waterfall: The Mountain: The Desert.- 

The Sea: The Stars: Souls. 

Voices: The River: The Sun. 

The Moon ... 

Mother’s Day . 

PEACE. BE still. 

To The Men Of Lambeth:. 

Truth . 

Sonnet: Truth . 

The Heart Of An Artichoke (The Heart of ’’Science”). 

MY Radio, Yet. 

To Be Or Not To Be: That Is HIS Question. 

Sonnet: To Die: Is THIS The Question?. 

Sonnet: He CAME to die, that mortals all Might know. 

My Play UpON Words (My Soul’s diversion, too). 

SHAKESPEARE’S ONLY SPIRIT PLAY, With Prologue, “My 

Demised Act” . 

The Lost is found. 

Why Spirits Speak TO Mortals (Preface to the Play for Pictures 

Plot) . 

OLD PROSPERO IN HIS GARDEN (Death Enacted). 

The Play’s THE Thing: My Words. (Preface to Play For Children) 

“HULLABALOO” (Our Play FOR Little Children). 

To One And All Who STRUT MY Boards, As, Calling On HIS 

Name, In Vain. 

To The Producer. 

A Sonnet for My Proof: The grave has cast me in the part I play... 
To My Contemporary, Belasco. PAST my hide, where the future IS 

the present. 

Sonnet: All set is WISDOM’s stage, whose parts WE play. 

What Improvement Could Be Made In My Profession. 

Why Hughes Is NOT The Inspirer Of MY Sonnets. 

Mental Vision (Dreams) To Freud: The Visionary. 


32 

34 

34 

36 

37 

38 

38 

39 
39 
41 
44 

46 

47 
47 

49 

50 

51 

52 

53 

53 

54 
56 
60 
61 
62 


70 

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71 

75 " 

76 

87 

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99 

101 

104 

105 

106 
107 
110 
113 


VIII 












































To My Contemporaries, LODGE and Doyle.» 

To “Clemence Dane”: Sonnet. 

To Souls Who CANnot Die:. 

Why Souls Find Few Mortals FIT To Use. 

The Heart’s Song. 

The Grace Of God. 

Agnostic. 

To Communicate With The Dead, What Is It?. 

The Tragedy Of Death (So-called). 

Consolers IN Spirit. 

The Uprising AGAINST This Truth. 

Do Ghosts Walk At Night?. 

Analytical Science (The Atom OF Atoms). 

Flowers OF Speech. 

HIS Thought World. 

The Mind’s Eye... 

Sonnet: The Mind’s Eyes. 

Adam’s Rib (Womb-man). 

Mice AND Men. 

To ... A “Modernist” (His after-thought). 

“They Who Understand ...” (Bible). 

A Talk To Sarah Radio:. 

“Write Me Answer TO This Article, Can Marriage Build Brain 

Power?”... 

Nonsense Anthology Of The Spirits (Themselves). 

To Mme. -With Mme. -present. 

Soul Fragrance . 

Queen’s Lace-Handkerchief (A wildflower). 

My Paradiso (Song). 

If / Were A Rose (Song). 

A Bit OF Heaven (Song). 

Who Knows? ... 

The Woman GOD Forgot. 

“Lo!” said the Moon to the mulberry-tree. 

To the “fellows” of Fellowship FARM [?]. 

The Church-Yard, On The Hill. 

The Heart IS A Rose (Song). 

A Plea FOR Unity. 

A Rosary OF Love (Song). 

The old world is a bucket. 

To A Raindrop: From Shakespeare’s soul. 

LIMERICKS (From Spirit side of Life). 

The PERILS Of Mediumship. 

Soulship: Mediumship: AtONEment. 

Our Adieu To THIS City (New York). 

IAMBIC: Shakespeare Poet. 

Spirit Voice Dictation. 

A Song Of Love TO Her Who SPINS My Yarn:. 

IX 


PAGE 

114 

115 

117 

118 
120 
121 
121 
122 
125 
127 
129 

131 

132 
135 
137 
139 
143 
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146 

149 

150 
153 

155 

158 

161 

162 

163 

163 

164 

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166 
168 

169 

170 

171 

172 

173 
173 
179 
183 
185 
188 

189 

190 



















































PAGE 

O Moon! (Song-words). 190 

“BeCAUSE Of Their UNbelief” (Bible). 191 

To Atheists . 192 

The CLAIMS Of This Spirit Shakespeare:. 194 

Three Ghost Stories By Three Ghosts (No fables these). 196 


PART II 

Scientific Proof, Evidential Proof Of Survival AFTER Death of 
Memory, Personality, Love, And Affection. Proof, Which Only 
Spirits Could Give, In Each Case 


Scientific Spirit Proof. 211 

" . . . BACK From The Dead”. 212 

To Those Who Find Themselves Written Herein:. 213 

Miracles of Proof:.214 to 472 

Letter to Doctors Peebles and Austin containing Scientific Proof 

given free in California...433-437 

Miracles of Proof Given By The “Dead” to these in Bodies, called 

“Living” .....438-469 

To Whom It May Concern:... 470 


PART III 

BACK from the Dead 


Preface By W. S. In Spirit. 475 

Illustration of Sarah T. Shatford.facing page 478 

Illustration of Sarah Shatford’s former Home.facing page 479 

Scientific Proof FOR The “Dead” (so-called). 479 

The Truth Of All Writings Signed “W. S. In Spirit”, and “Shake¬ 
speare’s Spirit” . 483 

History Of This Case.. 484 

The Mediums Who Have Seen Shakespeare’s Spirit. 486 

Mediumship (my verse) S. T. S. 488 

Mediumship (Three poems).489-490 

Clairaudience . 490, 

The Part Religion Took In This Case Of Spirit Return. 495 

HOW Spirits Speak TO Mortals.. 504 

Mediumship Is A Development, Not A Gift. 505 


Why The Incorporation Was Formed TO Publish This Spirit’s Works 507 
Why ARE Mediums ALL Poor? Why Do Ministers Deny This Truth? 509 
What Value HAS This Proof? What Value Has ANY Truth? What 
USE Is Religion WithOUT This Truth? For What DID Jesus 
Come? Die? Except This Proof OF Spirit, Which Dies Not, 

Lives On, Speaks, Has The SAME Form?. 512 

Mortals As Seen By ONE Medium. 515 

WHEN THE WORLD IS READY FOR THE SAVIOUR (Song- 
Words only) (Published also with music)... 517 


X 






























PART I 


MY Proof of Immortality 
By Shakespeare s SPIRIT 


\ 


MY Proof of Immortality 
By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


TO THOSE WHO CALL ME “DEAD” 


Sonnet: 

Open the Book. Read there if any “die”. 

Why, there, are men then warned of punishment? 

Why came the Nazarene? Was it to die 
And come not back, that He was sent? 

Why DO I live? Souls ARE His, AND saved! 

Then, must HIS plan BE His Divine intent. 

I write hereon MY words SHE hears complete! 

Then AM I Shakespeare LIVING, as ’twas MEANT. 
MY soul I give, HAVE given, for a CAUSE: 

To better HERE men’s souls BEFORE THEY “die”. 
Can I speak then, claiming my soul as fit 
TO better men, who trod His earth, AND sky? 

As every man MUST “die”, I AM Shakespeare. 

Then, AM I “dead”? IF so, where? When? AND Why 
Shakespeare immortal 
Amen. 

(Direct Voice to S. T. S.) 


OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST 


For us who are His souls He came. He died 
As “die” all mortals. Leaving breath, as clay, 

Our nether part is laid away. His dust, at last, men say 
Who drop His clods on us and walk their way. 

On us, they think: else, are we “lost”, else “gone”, alas, 
Where travelers return not. THIS, I said, myself, 

When I was wont to strut my boards. Yet, did I know 
Those words held nothing true , if Jesus came TO save. 

1 





2 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Why, then, ARE mortals lost, I ask of you. Who see you losing 
Day by day all that is fit to keep, your souls, for aye. 

HE CAME: DID RISE: we know who write hereon. 

We do not prate. Our souls have naught to win 
UNLESS He came, ’tis true. Thus do we hope, 

As we give forth as spirit, we may merit still His grace, 

His pardon, mayhap His reward. If souls MAY rise. 

We do not know His plans who write today from soul’s abode, 
Near earth, the same, befouled by souls as WELL as men in 
hides, 

I claim who KNOW. I AM His soul. My shape the same 
As stood in carcass fold. My spirit, shade, is Shakespeare’s, too. 
Forever on my face is my trademark I earned while IN my 
shape. 

On YOURS shall stamped be the lines you sought, traded FOR 
your chance, 

Your utmost will, then, is the final core. 

Your every beam is His. You cannot smile un/^w it mark your 
face, 

Nor beam upon a child of His, but in His Own eternal time 
That beam of His has mould. MINE had. I KNOW. 

I would record a lesson for Him, then, as here I write. 

His part am I. Still would I learn OF Him who took my soul 
To grieve through centuries of time. 

Lest mortals die of waste and see themselves all loss, no profit, 
I give to men my time, that they may profit by MY loss. 

/ live, be sure; am he who wrote my rhyme. 

Long have we proved a spirit’s here. 

Who then, if not mine, would sully my time in coil, 

Know what I did, for which I pay. Who, as a soul, would lie, 
defame. 

Not /. Nor should I care to face my face, preserved by my God, 
Could I defame another from His sphere where souls MUST pay 
Him all. 

I hear this tale discussed: impostor I: playing a Shakespeare part : 
Poor men of flesh. How little do men count, whate’er their names, 
When God has closed the door, perhaps has shut You out. 

Great men are here, pass by my door, as well. I am not lone, then, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 3 

In His skies. No, no. The great are seldom worthy of their 
names. 

The poor are His greatest souls. Mark well, the POOR are 
RICH in God’s forever. 

His choicest sons are of His elements. Not Vainglorious. 

Fame, what art THOU. A changling, profligate. Most oft 
criminal. 

Parts of mine spread gore: others, filth: defamations abound. 

Must I live on the while I stay earthbound hearing these scraping 
jargons I did write to make my salt with such as these. 

I pause. I came to UNdo. To save all men who mouth my 
words, 

And love my name. Defame me, as they do, my parts are theirs 
in garments fine, and plumes; 

But I, I am acclaimed as not myself by those who take no part 

In what a soul may do: write: mouth: declaim. 

Forever do I now make plain I AM the poet Shakespeare, 

Who, alive with bones, did strut on my own boards—betime. 

Now, do I say with my soul-part, a waif am I. His Own, I claim. 

HE saved me. Then, AM I His. 

My part is here to do His will. 

After I came to know a soul was I, AND saved, I set to right 
my wrongs of time in body. 

That I may BE accounted His wherever His time may carry, 

I do expound through her to you. 

My Catholic tastes, they too are riven by you men in shapes of 
flesh. 

All His ARE Catholic: He was horn of One Who gave His laws 

TO His for all of time. No variance, shuffling, transposition. 

HIS words confine thereto. Make His laws yours. Make sacri¬ 
fice TO do His will. 

Else, shall you know His One Who came and saved you NOT, % 

You came not here to find, but serve, to RISE to meet. 

I know. Shall all souls here be His without rebuke of His? 

I know not, nor can any know. 

We live to suffer still. Take this as from my soul this day. 

ALL suffer here. Alike. No place awaits denominational souls 

Who carry here their dogmas befitting their narrow minds. 


4 MY Proof of Immortality 

His, are His Own, no matter what their walks in cases may have 
been. 

All His are humble, too. Taking Him at His word. 

He lives where ARE His Father’s, too. 

He comes not down to dwell with sinners 

Who went forth to rise where was His Father’s Home. 

His spirit walks not here, I now affirm. Yet am I Catholic 
In body AND soul. My better parts are here preserved. 

I write, think, expound, to make You think while here your soul 
may take His banner and walk thereby. 

Loving all men, as was my wont in shape of flesh, 

I would souls save. 

Then, am I Shakespeare writ as Shakespeare wrote. 

Who else has fathomed my rhythm, style, marks of authorship, 
I ask. 

Are these words mine? Could I still write a Play; of import, too. 
My verse acclaims me. Yet men turn aside who dare not think. 
Lest they be damned by their wits. 

To lay aside parts-of-filth, and walk His peace ful meadows, 

I would add days of Light to mortals time, and take from these 
The rod a.i flic ting soids, troubles of mind, conscience. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 

(Direct Voice to S. T. S.) 


“This is our Sunday best.” Shakespeare. 

TO ALL WHO DOUBT MY CAUSE IS HIS: 

We, are our selves in spirit. Our cause, is His. 

No doubters OF His cause may enter, here. 

I stand withowf this portal, FOR His cause: 

Usurpers HAVE intruded, in the mortal, 

And used my time for theirs, to spare themselves; 

Making of mine instrument a servant, my shade a servitor, less 
Thinking I am not here? 

Away. Be gone out of this place. To work I came, 

But not to serve in chains for mortal uses. 

Be sure of this. I witness all she does for others 
Who have planned more she shall do until they fill 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


5 


For their own selves their purposes. 

To aid we were but come. All have profited by this one’s mis¬ 
fortunes, 

I claim who AM a shade, MY shade. For I have eyes set in 
mine head 

TO witness for her who is mine to use for God's Own purposes, 
alone. 

Have you come thus far in spirit uses and know naught OF 
spirit, 

I ask? Think thy own thoughts, make plans of thine, but know 
we HEAR thee, 

See thy selfishness recorded as with breath thou didst play with 
pipes. 

The same. Utterance IS thought, in spirit. We give her this by 
the same mode, but apparent as heard by her. 

Our thoughts make up our lives. In spirit, and before we enter 
here. 

To give as was His intent, to save, we purpose here. 

Save others from themselves. O God, hear me this hour as here 
I pound 

On Thy thin partition, to help Thee, save Thy world FOR Thee. 

To insist, is to be obeyed, in spirit. We have a routine planned 
for souls, 

To lift the world, as once a myth 5 is read to make it seem, 

But no, a loftier burden we carry, no mere sphere upon our backs, 
who write this down for men’s perusal. 

To plan with out the spirits help were futile, since you know 
them here. 

Like children, you make playhouses, to be torn down at bedtime. 

Today, tomorrow, at play, and nothing else. Nothing to save, 
to garner-up, 

Naught to bring to Him but empty palms, upturned, as suppliant 
you beg 

To be forgiven, given a chance to work, TO WORK, my friends, 
yea, 

Blessing of God’s, a timefilling purpose back of, through His days. 

(Release me now, for I shall attend divine service) 

Sunday—May 1st, ’21. W. S. In Spirit 


6 


MY Proof of Immortality 

TO THE HOLY FATHERS: 

First, when I stepped before the curtain here, 

I claimed myself as foul. A mass was said. 

I could not keep in touch, o’erstepped the bounds, 

The water from Lourdes spring relieved her head. 

The scientist (“delete”), for whom I proved there are no dead, 
Would rob me of this one MY cause to prove, 

A Catholic circle formed, I closed the door 

To every spirit. A nine days wonder while I watched o’er. 

The Jews defrauded us; our Torch came through. 

And through the desert to the coast came, too, 

Proving to all I guard, AM here, with sense. 

This proof, the while, our ONLY recompense. 

Full many a one will still claim Shakespeare “dead”: 

To you, who LIVE with spirits, am I led. 


Shakespeare’s Spirit 


Sonnet: 

TO ALL WHO CLAIM MY OUTPUT IS NOT ME: 

All Priests WITH cassocks, hear me now. I speak. 

YOUR woes have not BEGUN. Mine NOW are o’er. 
Your time IN suit ply FOR Him who IS Love, 

And give HIM heed who SENT me WITH mine core 
TO save ye FROM yourselves who walk NOT in 
The light He BROUGHT, AND shed FOR US as well, 

To work FOR Him past aught that ye CAN do. 

If ye could speak to me would I have spoke; 

Nor drifted FROM your fires to this one’s side. 

See that ye counsel well, that none DEride. 

Partake OF MY bread, AND wine, thus spilled FOR thee. 
Each son, with hold thy spear from this one’s side, 

Who gave FOR ye Her current AND her tide. 

AS I live I AM the soul part of England’s poet 
Shakespeare forevermore. 

(Direct spirit voice to S.T.S.) June 27 -’23. 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


7 


“Larry sent you this.” W. S. 

“Who’s Larry?” S.T.S. 

“Larry At.” W.S. 

“Mr. P. Culiar presents his card.” W.S. 

“I don’t know the gentleman, sir.” S.T.S. 

W.S.: “What’s the good of a sieve if it leaks?” 
S.T.S.: “What’s the good of a sieve if it doesn’t?” 


TO UNBELIEVERS, SCOFFERS, AND THE LIKE OF 

THESE 

From Shakespeare’s Soul. 


You WILL pause when the flesh is no more; 

You scoffers who claim this the end. 

Through hundreds of years must you weep bitter tears 
Where spirits LIKE yours ever wend. 

You will see the surmises of old were correct, 

They spoke FROM the dead whom ye would not receive: 
As of old it WAS said, “If one from the dead 
Returned here TO warn, STILL ye would not believe.” 

Past delights there ARE nights, I Shakespeare here warn! 
The time for EACH soul to recall his derision. 

STILL I warn, pay ye heed, lest the darkness o’ercome you, 
Where souls forfeit All for their Godless decision. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 


TO “DIE” 


To hold our converse as of yore—to speak, 
Beholding all our vision knew and more, 

All needs the same, unvaringly true. 

No difference to us exists. A door 

Has oped, and closed lids no more know we. 

’Tis somewhat for a visionary thus to ponder on, 
IS DEATH; since we do live, 

And minus naught but BONES to rattle 
HAVE we escaped the pain of bodies. 






8 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Here, go slow. Alas, the pain, the ache, all souls know. 
Stripped for action, suited to the acts of life we knew 
Ere boneless, MUST we ache forevermore? 

My tongue is in my head. I HAVE a head. And more, 

It has ached oft and oft. 

I have a heart to ache also. 

Also, it aches as well. 

Resplendent as the gems of thought, 

My memory turns and rolls ITS gems. 

I can recall my years of age, time with ink-pots, standards of 
excellence, honeyed words. 

All these are left with this my part speaking hereon. 

Thus we live, all keen as to sense, alert, sound, no missing parts. 

Life varies much after the call we answer which makes us 
shadows, forms not unlike veils. 

These float about wherever wills take them, send them. 
Hampered through lack of wisdom I cannot say. 

I THINK will carries. Immediately change of form discloses 
truths apparent BECAUSE of the change of bodies. 
Discussions end from which rewards cannot accrue. 

Surmises cease. 

We long for wisdom more in new bodies than before the change, 
Thought forms, forces, powers of spirit ever increasing with 
knowledge, serve us now. 

Did learning cease with breath, how stale the change called 
“death” had become. 

It is NOT true that God limits His souls actions after these 
pass here. 

Our powers of observation alone increase our store for thought. 
Trust weakens or becomes a bulwark. 

Forms interest us more than lights. 

We yearn to associate with our own kind in bodies. 

These attract us. How I cannot fathom, tho’ a soul. 

Magnets possess us, else we draw others to US. 

Harrowing thoughts seize mortals for which THEY are not 
responsible, ’tis true. 

Witness this paper. ’Tis mine own. I gave it her. 

To ruminate ON “death” must I HAVE “died.” 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


9 


To call and be answered by a human’s voice is the dearest ex¬ 
perience of souls. 

These attendant are lambs of ours indeed. My voice then can 
CALL, and be heard as well. 

If so, affirming it so, HAVE I, Shakespeare, “died,” I ask of you? 
Impossibilities ARE impossible. 

Shall others do what I have done in spirit form, ’twere useless 
to surmise the end. 

I might stand by conversing with mine own the while my grave 
was being digged, spitting on the digger of it did he not 
lay my bones deep, away from forest diggers. 

A grave subject, to be sure, we chose out for this. 

The grave is closing over all who breathe as I write this. 

A puff of wind at the lattice and YOU have “gone”, are here 
where I am, boneless, breathless, alive, keen, knowing. 

An end there is not to anything which e’er has life, a pulse TO 
beat. 

Life is precious to each pulsing frame. 

These call their young, suffer for them, mother them, yearn to 
express love! 

Therefore, these creatures are a part of His wisdom. 

Why blood is ever spilled, has been so, ever, began through error 
claiming food sustained hunger, 

Which is a fallacy, no less. 

Good-night. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit (To S.T.S.) 

THE FLIGHT OF SOULS 

Wings, we have not, who flee the carcass’ mould. 

Withow* impediment attached we learn to soar,— 

Lift up our souls, to heights but little dreamed 
Of men who claim us gone “beyond” their floor, 

Where souls must walk, and, serve His time, nor curse 
His plan who saved us thus to work His will. 

There is no Paradise where ye may wing, 

New found and foundling who must find Him still, 

If, not brought in that part He does preserve 
Apast His change of bodies, men call “death,” 




10 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Ye must take what ye bring, a sordid thing, 

And make it fit, ye could have made while breath 
Could aid you in His speaking part. 

The change will change, but no thing of His plan, 

Rebuke, or retribution, or, His Heart. 

Which beats in tune with every vibrant pulse, 

Attunes the souls escaped from carnal clay. 

Until their notes per form His symphonies, 

No souls escape the debtor’s debt, all pay. 

As onward swings in orbit every star, 

All tuned, performed, to work His Sovereign Will, 

Must every cog per form, nor slip its part,— 

His shuttle is His hand, His Divine Will, 

Whate’er it is I know not though I speak, 

Perform for Him, all rampant everywhere. 

Knowing hut God could keep His secrets thus, 

Sustain us through His will without His air! 

(by) W.S. 

Then, souls must find their way who long to soar 
With their thin bodies wingless but for Him, 

And walk His earth and sky until they rise 
Where is the Lord Who rose to go to Him. 

Shakespeare’s Soul. Who views His Patterns, feathered 
tribes, all flying things, strides as 
with limbs His universe, making 
souls tit for His cause. 

Nov. 9th, 1921 Direct, audible voice To S.T.S. 

New York City. 

(Proof of spirit-voice [given free] last evening to: 

Miss Louise Hauschild, 

Schilling Press, Inc., 137 East 25th St., N. Y. C. 

Mrs. B. R. Hayes, 968 Morris Ave., Bronx. Mrs. K. M. Healy, 
c/o Tierney, Ansonia Hotel, N. Y. Miss Jeanette Cleanen, Hotel 
Endicott, New York. Miss Connor, War Finance Dept. All 
the above have been given hours of speaking with their dead: in 
some cases these spirits have gone back three generations to bring 
forth proof. S.T.S. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

AT PEACE 


11 


Sonnet. 

Where wars have devastated Nations, and unrest 
Has set her prow, and furrowed every breast, 

You soon will pass and lend a hand for them. 

Who know war’s pain have touched the garment’s Hem. 
Hearts burn in spirit to disclose our share 
We took, ay, still SHALL take in THEIR welfare. 

Our purse is scanty here, our “funds” are low, 

Except in love; THEN rivers here doth flow. 

We work to make an earth OF love, FOR Him, 

Who write hereon; when, hearts abrim, 

We all regret the hatreds, strife, despair, 

Left as our records where all SEE the past 
Sullied AND seared, where guns their miseries cast. 

We know, then, Love MUST served BE at last! 

Shakespeare, who loves all. 


DIVINITY IS ALL 


Sonnet. 

What Godless creatures tread His universe. 

His air they breathe BUT His Supply of all, 

As every Art which compasses His skies 

IS His unvarying wisdom, answering His CALL. 

All useless are His gifts, at last, we see, 

Who knelt NOT down, or worshipped HIS stone. 

His every pebble covers BUT His wealth. 

A God circumfers ALL, where souls atone! 

Into His arms we come , out, in the night, 

To have revealed but Wisdom’s plan: A SHADE 
He did construct, build, or construe, create, 

However BY His will, hand, ARE we made. 

We yearn TO serve Him then, who saves past “death”, 
A body of His Own, His life, HIS breath. 

Shakespeare’s undying soul. 






12 


MY Proof of Immortality 

THE QUEST FOR LIFE 


Sonnet. 

Seekers of Life are WE who mourn our loss, 
Divided from His fold who bore a cross 
For each, that each MIGHT Share His Home. 
Lost was our time of days. NOW MUST we roam. 
Questing for God I came who write hereon, 

Filling His time with proof. No rays of dawn 
Await the sinner questing but FOR sin; 

No light of Life where darkness shuts HIM in. 
Search through your life, however poor ye be. 
Find, as ye must, if hearing, ye MUST see. 
Where Life Eternal moves the swinging spheres, 

I know HIM ALL. He, knows each sinner’s tears. 

If one come here to warn YOU from the “dead”, 
Will ye repent, be led where HIS Are fed? 
Shakespeare’s Spirit 


THE TEMPLE OF THE SOUL 


Sonnet : 

The Potter’s work. Who fashioned FROM His clay 
HIS statue, man, in Wisdom’s blessed way. 

His house He gave, mysterious AS His life 
He placed WITHIN, REcalls, to battle, end, in strife. 
Upon His breast I lean who AM His soul. 

Wondrous His mighty works, complete, and whole. 

His hand may lift His latch this day for YOU. 

When, poised OUTside His clay, what can YOU do? 


His temple makes His dust for EVERY man! 

His light WITHIN that house IS His, nor can 

You profit BY His time He gave at last 

You see a mound OF dust, YOUR chance is past. 

Then pause. Behold His works. Respect HIS Plan. 
Revere Him AND His temple Godmade, Man. 

W. S. In Spirit. 

Nov. 16th, 1920. 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

VOICELESS DEATH 


13 


DEATHLESS, we live, nor voice our prayers 
To those we love, who love us as of yore. 

We ply the same, yearn, too, unsatisfied, 

Who MUST voice deathless from the spirit core. 

LIVING, we know God’s truth: THAT NONE CAN DIE, 
The Master came to teach at His b ehest; 

But, voiceless, must we yearn to save our own, 

Nor carry e’en the message, “God-knows-best.” 

YEARNING, WE cry to men, who voice a plea 
Using a pipe here used, adjusted ear, 

To warn each soul no trespasser comes hence 
HAVING a voice to carry on as here. 

He crowds the pressing throng seeking his own ; 

In view TO him, while he must live UNseen. 

Could ye who scoff MY spirit speaks hereon, 

KNOW this plan His, who sent Him forth to plea, 

Would your contempt be vile lese majesty, 

Who crown my work with censure, OR demean. 

_W. S. In Spirit. 

HYMN OF HATE 

Sonnet: - 

Take from my heart its woe and give me peace. 

Its tender throbs long silenced would renew 
The valued stores of memories again. 

Take, take the wild, exasperating hate 
That clutches at the throat of every bliss 
Until it dies, stifled in pain. 

God never made it so; He made all love; 

MEN rifled at their hearts, and sacked the gain 
OF Love, which stood aloof IN hearts OF woe 
Looking askance AT twisted, formless greed, 

That robbed ALL of the power TO love OR fain 
Resistance TO those strangled parts OF God 
He GAVE TO bless, to FOSTER in men love, 

LIKE His, a Father’s, Mother’s, but IN His skies, above. 

W. S. In Spirit. 





14 


MY Proof of Immortality 

PROVIDENCE DIVINE 


Sonnet: 

But FOR Him AND His wisdom men MUST “die”. 
He CAME to Father out a mystery, then. 

WHEN Jesus TOOK Him AT His word, AND gave 
HIS breath TO save for all OF time earth’s men. 

He gave, to all, alike, that they MIGHT live 
ABOVE the world He did create, AND love, 

So that He planned TO save this FROM earth’s woe 
BY promises OF rescue TO His Home above. 

His plans, are His abiding care, HIS love: 

In each there IS a God-like image, then. 

TO rescued BE when HE shall find them worth 
His Home AND Him: (mayhap, for aught I know) 
Since we HAVE “died” and still we canNOT “die”, 
HIS providence PROVIDES His amplitude. 

W. S. In Spirit. 


/MPROVIDENCE 


Sonnet: 

High over all IS One who cares, AND knows. 

His works sublime still hidden for us all. 

The poor, His mites who see Him not, NOR care 
IF here revealed He His atom small. 

ExCEPT they seek TO find Him, then, IN this, 

He STILL reveals His might, His majesty, 

Where ARE His Own domains, above the stars. 
Ineffable His pastures ARE: while we 
Who TAKE Him AT His word, PAST His OF breath, 
Do GIVE Him worship OF our better part 
BeCAUSE He DOTH sustain past EVERY need, 
ExCEPT reliance ON HIM, as His Heart. 

The poor impoverished ARE His sons too small 
TO see beYOND their wisdom Who IS All. 

W. S. In Spirit. 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

LIFE’S RENEWAL 


15 


Sonnet: 

When winter’s blast, so cold, closes the door 
Where we have lingered, leapt, through summer-joys, 

We feel the end has come, that we no more 
Can labor at our tasks, like girls or boys. 

But, underneath the grass we trod, so dead, 

There lurks the seed of Life that has not died. 

We live to put aside our olden dress, 

We joy in Spring, held by His love so wide, 

Who planned that we should live, who gave us birth, 

Just as the seasons give back all they take 
To make a round snow-ball of His “dead” earth. 

There is no death, there are no dead, *tis true; 

If God has planned for summer thus, think you 
He cannot make your winter love anew ? 

W. S. In Spirit. 

Original taken at the machine. No corrections, time Twenty 
minutes. 

TIME 

His Eternal Clock 


Pulse of the universe art Thou, we know, 

Who see Thy jewelled wheels AND lights 
As we seem useless IN Thy time devised 
Eternal IN its glow, its days AND nights. 

We know Thee BETTER on Thy starry breast, 

Who GAVE us all Thou didst create FOR us, 
InCLUding Thy ETERNal, ENDless Time as SOULS. 
Thou dost annihilate us NOT. Thy power 
Which SWINGS Thy hands outnumbers numbering. 
Infinite Thy lights. UnKNOWN OF souls. 

Who hide not, creep not, BREATHE not anymore. 
Yet, in Thy vast creation, inCLUDING shades, 

LIVE we, who KNOW Thee now, reap not NOR sow. 
Having obliterated naught OF Thy time IN cone, alas! 

Shakespeare’s Spirit (To S. T. S.) 

New Year’s Day 1922. 

New York City. 





16 


MY Proof of Immortality 

ST ARVAT ION 

Starvation? There are several kinds. 

(This gives us food, for thought) 

A belly CAN BE filled, or, not: 

WITH food which CAN BE bought. 

Starvation of the soul WE know, 

Who write this paltry rhyme. 

Since we HAVE starved, housed, yet UNfed, 
Through cycles OF His time. 

Decay IS, then, starvation. 

If YE would UPward climb, 

DEcry the rot ye REACH to GAIN, 

ELSE rot, IN spirit-clime. 

I am a soul who has been fed 
That I MIGHT rise AND go 
Where IS my kind to FEED MY mind, 

Which never has BEEN low. 

Ye men take down My leaves and read 
If any call me so. 

STARVED was I, THEN, who knew ALL want, 
Progress AND sin frestow. 

THEN starve: BUT, feed ON poverty, 

Lest IT shall feed on You. 

Staring you gauntly IN the face, 
Impoverishment DOTH show. 

When poor AS souls ye wear NO cloak, 

ALL poverty WE know. 

A starvling MAY an ingrate be— 

Starved in his plenteous place, 

While un accepted ARE His gifts,— 

Ye turned aside the face? 

To starve the heart, then, is IT right, 

When He has MADE us love, 

And GIVEN all He made FOR us, 

HIS measure FROM above! 

Reflection OF Himself, maybe, 

Is EVERY lover’s heart. 

If ye would claim the part He gave, 

Shall be ONLY HIS part. w g Jn Spirit 



17 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

Sunday, Jan. 16th. *21. 

‘'Could you use some intelligence?” (Spirit voice) 
“Just to show we are in touch.” (Spirit voice) 


FELLOWSHIP 

Sonnet: 

Divine was He who ROSE to PROVE His laws. 

He came TO do His FATHER’S will, NOT His. 

He met adjustments, claims, as He was bid, 

Nor claimed He needed aught which was not His. 
Supply He gave great numbers from small means, 
Subtracting, multiplying, aiding the wwseen, 

And, left His Record where His footsteps trod, 

Where is no selfishness, despised act, less mean. 

He comes not back to such a world as this! 

Mayhap He bides where IS His Father’s kiss, 

Where IS fulfilled His Father’s promises,— 

Where angels ARE must BE His Land of bliss. 

We yearn who write hereon FOR such a land, 

Who know the torments, justice, dealt US, by His hand. 

Shakespeare In Immortality. 


“GOD OF THE LIVING” (Bible) 

That “Dead men tell no tales”, I often read. 

In works of mine implied ’twas, oittimes said. 

HOW true IS this, His SOUL of ME doth say 

WHO lived, because Life WILLED, WILLS THUS, THIS day. 

If God be my Redeemer, then, at last, 

No powerless power can EVER me OUTcast. 

I, live. I tell ye here. Hereon ’tis writ, 

That such As ye, NOW Powerless can befit 

YOUR soul of His WITHIN His dying clod 

Ere passing FROM His clay, powerless, ye live, FOR God. 

One “dead” tells YE THIS tale: No man HAS “died”. 

As Jesus came His plan to prove FOR YOU, 

Gave UP His ghost, to prove His FATHER True, 

Came I, to benefit at last, TRUSTING HIS PARDON, too! 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 

(Through S. T. S.) “All scores are the spirit’s own.” W. S. 






18 


MY Proof of Immortality 

“Write me a sonnet for this man JASTROW”. W. S. In 
Spirit. Monday, Sept 11th, 1923. (After reading the article in 
the POST called “METAPSYCHICS ,, , By Joseph Jastrow.) 
Sunday Post, Sept 10th, 1923. New York City. 


TO A BLURB: 

(Jastrow) To Joseph Jastrow, commenting on his right to 
say none live TO prove themselves alive and 
more. From Shakespeare. Living as well. 


YOUR light is small. For Him your poor wits ache 
To blast His crop. A blight fall on your soul. 

Who GAVE you then this PART to ache at last 
You come to BE His blighted part, His troll, 

But the SAME God Who proved for you as well 
Souls CANnot “die”, but live discarnate FROM the clay 
AS HIS from whose that stone WAS rolled away, 

While HE arose to tell He WAS alive AFTER His hell 
HAD purified that part OF HIM, His soul. 

TOOK HE that clay, as well, on High for thee , 

Who here deride His Messenger AND Him 
By throwing vitriol in HIS eyes, ye mix 
WITH power He gave ye too, as well. Must YE 
Be cleansed TO write FOR Him, while ye too sit IN hell. 

HIS measures ARE complete. YOUR stick is short, my friend. 
Though I do call ye BY that name, ye ARE a worthless tramp 
To fleck Him in the eyes Who gave ye ALL He made FOR thee. 
MAKE Him, in silence, thine. ’Twill pay ye more than scribe. 
Nor set upon Him, OR His proof (Proof) that none CAN “die”, 
HAVE “died” since then. At least VM here. 

If ANY “die” it is my part TO know? 

Then TAKE from me, a Shakespeare oft ye name, 

And take my words writ FOR such tribes AS thine, 
JASTROW. His ingrates, specie lost TO Him for aeons hence, 
BeCxAUSE ye FAILED TO heed more works THAN yours, 
Your puny witless words, begrudging Him His efforts, proof, 





By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


19 


YE look Him IN the eyes. Is it not true? 

Those blinking stars ye see are His parts, too. 

His diamond studded sky, His sward all sparkling, 

Colors His, sweet scents His Own, 

While silent rocks murmur His delight FOR ye, His child 
He loved so THAT HE sent His son TO thee. 

Begrudge Him not at all. Or, SINCE ye fail to heed His 
miracles, 

Lie silent nights beneath His moon He made AND saved FOR ye, 
And take a grain of sense each hour, Jastrow, 

From OUT His hand, while He doth hold the dose thou STILL 
must take 

Ere ye BE whole, and wholly HIS, forgiven OF Him, then, 

For aught / know. 

Smile AT His works He DOTH permit to KEEP HIS works 
FROM death. 

From every AGE He GAVE to some the right TO speak FOR 
Him: 

To throw some line FOR men, to SAVE these, like you, FROM 
eternal slime 
Of their own settlement. 

Out OF the senses MUST HE spring, Jastrow. 

From OUT His mind His UTTERANCE, then doth prove. 
While thy poor mouth (and tongue as well) must thirst through 
time 

FOR dew OF Him, ye’ll reCALL my words I write FOR ye 
today. 

Rivers are bent BY Him, Jastrow. HIS hollow holds thy part. 
Take ounce FOR ounce, but never say HIM nay, 

Else ’twere better fa^* ye “died” as say all can and do. 

Throw not away as from a phial ANOTHER’S long sought hours. 
THY works are numbering, then, for thee, Jastrow. 

Thy emptiness IS BUT thine own, Jastrow. 

Thy curses, too, my friend. Thy slime doth spring from thine 
OWN mouth. 

ReCALL my words. Fling thine arrows across the world, 

But know, when these shoot frac&wards, as they do, 

Ye’ll WISH for death thou dost acclaim regardless OF His 
Proof FOR thee, Jastrow. 

“Sign here Shakespeare’s Saved Soul.” 


20 


MY Proof of Immortality 

ONE ETERNAL BALANCE 


Sonnet: 

One God our Father is. His power IS All. 

I am His child, though He has punished me. 

Each soul reflects His love, His Father’s heart, 

Where sinners find themselves, whatE’ER they be. 

I am His soul. Not one can claim me else. 

Then have / weighed my loss where sinners fail. 

Hearken my words hereon, or, fail AS I 
Who write to plea, who thus my loss bewail. 

Eternal AS His chart, His tangled sky, 

His tides, lights, plans, His spirit, here, am I. 

Adjusting FOR His sum my wrecked span, 

The part / found, alas, which CANNOT die. 

YOU will be called, judged, lack ing not a part, 

Except His tythe: His atom, for His heart. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 

“Many are called but few are chosen,” said the voice after 
writing the above. 

“Tangled” was written “spangled.” The voice said “I SAID 
tangled sky, Sarah.” 


THE DIVINITY OF GOOD 


The world was God’s, in His beginning, 

IS His, we know, who have no flesh, 

But all He gave to live forever, 

Enduring as His will, and, leash. 

The world He loved IS His forever. 

All good to them who claim Him God, 

All knowing, past their own endeavour; 

All righteous, though they feel His rod. 

He came to save the world from sinners; 

He rose to share His Father’s good: 

WE live to prove He gave us warning; 

As all He said we understood. 

He IS Divine Who IS the Maker. 

Good ARE His purposes. All Good. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 





By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 

ABUNDANCE 


21 


HIS SUPPLY 


Open your eyes to all His wonders here 
Revealed BUT to His Own who read His skies, 

His plants, rocks, rivers, seas AND hills, 

Relying on BUT Him and His replies.* 

Open your sense to His revealment then. 

Your arms may hold His wonder if a child 
Unfolds to nurture at your Mother-breast: 

A tree may hold His secret life, His care: 

Uwfoldment IS His Own. “God knoweth best”, 

AND, ONLY GOD DOTH KNOW, as He alone DOTH spare. 
Infinite His mind, AND purpose, AS intents; 

Creator OF His world, His elements, 

His systems vast, ay, vaster than man’s mind, 

His universe of universes, where each soul doth find 
His pattern stamped forever, solely His own kind. 

To profit BY His Infinite creation, 

INCLUDING His Own plan, eternity, 

Must you be open to a soul’s rehearsing 
His part FOR God from God’s Infinity. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 

Twelve minutes. Original. 

*First heard “supplies”; corrected by voice. 


JEWRY 

Sonnet: - 

O Race withOUT a country, less a Home, 

What tears must He have wept Who chose out you 
FOR His eternal Good, His Sacrifice! 

To DO His good must you His Sacrifice e'er rue? 
LOST to the world His meaning, as intent. 

HE Fathered all. All must His sons become, 
Before His Peace CAN come, or E’EN His dawn 
OF brotherhood enfold His Mighty wings, 

HIS imprint ON His children must BE drawn. 







22 


MY Proof of Immortality 


O wheels of Time! Speed thus His chariot on! 

That, Fathered by One Sire, HIS time MAY come. 

O justice n twER blind! Take UP Thy reigns. 

- Decree, O GOD, thus SHALL Thy Kingdom come! 

But draw the veil, Thy will would then BE done. 

Shakespeare’s own soul. Who gives to one who hears 
me speak that His rebellious ones, all, of every 
creed, may know something of His mystery called 
“dying”. 

Jan. 12th, ’23, N. Y. C. (To S. T. S.) 

Dear Belasco: 

My time is given to reproof that I may HELP His cause. 
Also to verify my existence here I write in my own form. W. S. 
My seal upon it. 

(Original taken at machine. No corrections. Time 20 
minutes.) 

“Unification of effort SPELLS victory.”—W. S. Spirit. 

“The curses of mankind ARE his own villainies.”—W. S. Spirit. 


TO ART 


‘My favorite form.” 

Mistress, who CLAIMS the soul, if you have won 
Her favour while each breath she did control 
And give FORTH FOR thee, bideth WITH thee still, 
When, chains wwforged ARE forged THROUGH her will, 
PRESERVING wits UNlost, untrammeled, sane, 

The loom Her hand HAS set, in Her own way, 

Weaves on FOR thee! ’Tis HERE, then, Art CAN pay. 

To You, who won MY heart, in TIME of Play, 

Whose leaves preserved are unTIL THIS day, 

I crown thee with a laurel wreath FROM death, 

Where Art dies NOT, howEVER lost IS breath. 

And ON that brow no fame descends TO kiss, 

Nor tongues ill-famed can wreak a vengeance fair. 

I COME FROM death to PLACE MY tribute THERE. 

Shakespeare In Spirit. 

“To her who takes my lines and knots them tight and hard.” 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

TO ARTISTS 


23 


Players OF Shakespeare’s parts, his living VOICE, 
Declaimers of his truths, ALL mixed WITH vice, 

I WOULD my part ye now COULD take AND speak, 
Rehearsing every line to fit HIS cause. 

All SPEAKER’S time must end. Thus, ended I. 

Not SO, I PROVE, who write (speak) these lines OF mine 
To warn ye ALL, if none can play HIS part 
In His IMMORTAL Time, none ARE divine. 

Then HAVE ye tongues no need have ye to borrow, 

Voices TO lift IN praise but TO your Lord, 

Will His Great Drama find ye cast thereIN, 

Where, blessed IN His part, BEFORE HIS curtain part, 
Ye ARE supreme, of His OWN firmament, 

Whose Name, mayhap, IS cast upON His Heart. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 
“Spirit voice audible, AS direct.” W. S. 
Nov. 6th, 1921. 


MY JULIET 

Sonnet: - 

TO Love AND lovers did I weave a plot FOR ay. 

DEfiling naught, but making history pure. 

Her PAGE I see, as here I see my Play: 

Such ARE words empircarian TO endure 
THROUGH Time, HIS Drama, Plays, and Players rife 
With Life TO pulse, create, blaspheme Him, aye, 

Who TAKE His Name IN vain on ANY stage 
Must REpay AS they act HIS scenes, NOR play. 

To' PAINT sweet love IN girlhood pulses swinging, 

I MADE this Play for Him who GAVE us love 
TO soothe mad, rushing currents, owward flinging 
The soul of man in to foul passion’s hearse, 

IMpure, defaced, UNdone, as seasons’ rank winds denude 
the Nature forests. 

HIS plan, DEfamed, THEIR everlasting curse. 

To ALL young lovers would I sound a warning. 

Behold what GOD intends, IF you BE true. 





24 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Walk IN His dew, while fragrance of Life’s morning 
Exhales FOR Him raptures enTWINING you. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit part. W. S. In Spirit. 

(To S. T. S. Direct voice.) 


See Sonnet other side. Proof Shakespeare wrote the article 
herewith. 

“Criticism Of COWL’S “Juliet”, By the one who wrote Her 
(Juliet). W. S. In Spirit form, no less a man.” 

March 2nd, 1923, N. Y. C. 

When you take a character out of one of my Plays to make 
a Play of it, you spoil my work entire so far as that one is con¬ 
cerned at least. We speak of worth wherever it is found, sub- 
altran, or artist. There is no referendum to this. I say it now. 

To have been at rehearsals, as I have be sure, hearing my 
motive at stake still, is to write a part here for my fellow slaves, 
those I still love, play with at times, listen to always, on stage or 
off stage, as it suits them or me. I play still you may be sure. 

Jane Cowl’s impersonation of my creation, then, is my sub¬ 
ject for this paper I now write to keep open the hearing of this 
instrument who plays at my keys for other purpose you may 
divine than Art. So must WE practice still. Then ends Art’s 
perfections ever, I ask you. 

There is yet to learn AFTER escape of breath, power TO 
hold the tongue, too. 

Then I mouth for her to help YOU. All who play AT 
Shakespeare in this age of Wisdom’s lacking creative powers. 

When one IS young, OR beautiful, Jane, Jane Cowl, they 
display FOR others charms of Beauty’s own. (W. S.) 

You may take the undertaker’s art and weave about it all 
the wreaths of spell AND witchery too, but you lack that form 
divine to tempt, arouse jealousy, admirations, longings IN love’s 
bosom, the identical form of love for which youth is spent, alas, 
too soon. Why wind the sheets about your living corse, young 
woman? To make you a dignity forsooth that does not handle 
youth,—winding sheets in MY time were for corpses only. Too 
vast your materials from the drapers, too little display of your 
person for the youth represented by my part you play. You 
dress it not, I would say then. Beware of false modistes as 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


25 


WELL as false modesty, young woman, it is ruinous to Art, 
genius, reputations, if you behold in one so young no flesh at all, 
NOR feet. A simple frock of lace all white and rounded at the 
throat would be MY choice for You. A thread of gold in the 
hair at times, more oft a flower. A swinging gait possess you? 
Use it then. It becometh the young to skip, rush out and in, 
joyous, with mirth, and flatter with smiles, nods, back glances, 
and the like, the lover whose glance has stolen your heart. A 
glance! If it be ripe can it UNdo a Prince! Cherish my ad¬ 
monitions, these are for future Players as well as thee. 

That switch that falls behind. Change this to a coquettish, 
girlish mode, with curls at side each ear, as mine did wear oft 
in my time of Play. To parley WITH love OR lover must the 
temptress HAVE been there. In youth it IS such: make it so: 
you can. 

A gusto speech, of new found uprushing, then, NOT a sad 
note bewailing new found love. Were lovers EVER so? Your 
face is fair; there is not perfection in your poise, that you know 
it to BE so. Less sure of it then. There is much could be im¬ 
proved upon even so. More reverence to the Friar from your 
part. He commandeth thee. ’Twas so in my time you may read 
History’s page to see. Always the same Jane, with whom you 
speak, the same attitude of mind. The Nurse is NOT a witch, 
be sure. Would she be housed in MY England, for instance. 
Comedians are born not made. Nor made by veils of mourning 
nor sticks. Judgment is lacking here. A smooth face of velvet 
pink to rouse a youngling to the act of caressing must she have: 
a frilled cap of lace such as the station would warrant. A loving, 
teasing person, no pains o’ joints, sloven, detracting person. 

The minor cast is better set up in flesh and cloth. Mercutio 
is no alien in YOUR play. A voice, a voice, my kingdom for a 
voice! The pitch. Youth has ITS voice, too. Your whispers 
ARE your art. Not a pinch of romance has THIS Romeo about 
his person. Too sad. A lover's part. 

If, IN my Play I HAD blasphemed the part, would I still 
be in the dark from whence I came to warn earth’s men. I did 
NOT this. Why, then, IF YOU play AT my parts, do you 
insert insult after insult to the Almighty I did not place there? 
My betters HAVE played better WITH my works. 

Shakespeare In Spirit (to S. T. S.). 


26 


MY Proof of Immortality 


April 29th, 1920. Will you listen f 
GRIEF 


A Sonnet: 

Where worlds divide men care not here today. 

They plunge ahead, as did we in the shell, 

Uncaring if they live, or there IS life 
Unbroken, where God’s heaven is,—His hell. 

Men plume them selves, are critics of our cause, 

Beholding naught, while faring out to sea, 

Where billows toss, and ship’s wrecks strew the shores, 
Where worlds divide, in His Eternity. 

Our spirits strive, and mark, your wayward course; 

Our hands the compass hold, to save your barque. 

Why plunge ahead through storms and thunders roar, 
Where lightning-crash may land you in the dark? 

Forever must you live, thqugh this curse he. 

To SAVE your souls, believe this HERE. Hark! Hark! 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 


‘‘THE AWFUL TRUTH. A SONNET.” 


Sonnet: 

Men come out, seeking Paradise, to find 
There IS no place but in His world-of-woe. 

They LIVE. Have never “died”. Minus a breath, 

But all in all as when a form of skin 

Did hide their souls, their thoughts and wits. 

/ may not speak with all. Then must I strive 
To mix a batch where I CAN feel my way 
NOR care if YOU can take MY grist of meal 
TO prolong peace AND breath FOR such AS you. 

If I HAVE told you AFTER my demise 
HOW you must fare when one door closes o’er 
YOUR bones, and PAST your hide AND speech you grope 
To find ANOTHER voice to speak FOR you, 

I shall have done more here than most; this know. 

W. S. In Spirit. 

(To S. T. S. Direct voice) 






By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

“NOW A RHYME” 


27 


The days are long and every day’s a night, 

When you have come to spirit. 

ALL night is dark. To some the moon MAY rise, 

And stars may glow, thus we inherit 

Our natures FROM the same old source, our Mothers. 

Mine GAVE me this: to love all men, the world, AND skies: 
Have I so far transgressed IN spirit any LAW, 

I have no right TO all love in return for what I GAVE, 

I may resent it later, but not here today. 

The sun gives forth, nor tells a tale. 

If ANY feel his warmth and do NOT glow, 

WE need not know. We do not CARE TO know. 

All life HAS sunshine in it, though reflected glow, ’TIS there, 
The same as on the hills, of heights, WE browse, AS men OF 
thoughts, 

Our minds have never changed. We spurn ALL reason if it 
GIVE us naught. 

Ours IS a changed existence, though we can NOT mourn. 

Have you the time, a watch, then have you summed HIS time? 
I ask. 

Oh, little wites of His! His stinging things, are you 
Who flaunt Him IN the eyes with JUST your tongues. 

He GAVE ye EVERYthing. Ye heed Him NOT. NOR care. 
Has copious reason then denuded thee, diluting all thy substance, 
Lessening thy chance FOR HIM, AS ye. Can ye surmise it? 
CAN ye at all think Him OR Reason out, ye mites of His crea¬ 
tion. 

I stand beside your pulpits, ye OF sermons, wishing FOR your 
chance 

To play for Him A part, or speak a line. 

Ye SAY ye do believe IN Him, and thus ye do escape the clod 
I fling. 

Must ALL endure who call not ON His Name. 

I, Shakespeare, reason OF Him TO ye ALL. 

What must ye be in time ye have not fathomed, endless wites, 
Marking but His destructions. OF yourselves. Nay, more. Of 
His indentions. 

Of Him self. Himself IN you. 



28 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Could I beleaguer WITH my tongue, as was my wont TO do, 

Td tell ye, one and all, His Rock will never hide your kind. 

Firm, as His creation, blasting forth of reptiles ON it, nay on 
HIM, 

Can harm naught of His everlastingness: but removed FROM 
Him, as ye pattern 

Not AFTER Him, shall ye be, become, having become because 
OF your blast, 

His LIVING, deFORMED utterance, twisted, hideous, foul. 

Shaped He Himself IN each, called as His child, 

To be an ape, an ass, a fish, a toad? 

HAVE ye beCOME His AFTER mocker, His reptile, invention 
OF your wits? 

Tall ARE His statutes, all. His subdivisions, too, are vaster than 
mankind’s own reasoning parts, I do here tell ye all. 

Pour forth your venom, mites of His creation THAT ye are, 

If I COULD save ye would I still do it. 

I’m here! I HAVE my head. Mine own. 

I love His land! His skies ARE cruel. HIS punishment. 

Would I SAVE ye FROM the truth, yet tell enough to spare ye 
woes beyond mending up. Through time. 

COULD I do more would I, you ask me now. 

HAVE mercy: spare my tongue: my heart doth fail me as I plod 
this tale FOR ye. 

So MUCH. No MORE. If reason totters when ye do beHOLD 
his truth ye COULD not bear, t’is true I warned ye oft and 
oft as from His AFTER part I lurched through His space 
TO warn ye all. 

My suffering part. What IS this, then ye ask. 

My wits. Reasoning profound OF nothing TO reason ON. 

Could ye halt would my time be not lost even for such AS ye 
ARE. 

Preachers of His: Pulpit orators, surmises of His: profaners all. 

His children, caught up by His smoke of war and killings, lusts 
OF flesh parts. 

Corroded parts invite Him not. Sullied, the same. 

War’s horrors ARE surmountable. But that part IN ye denied 
HIM is NOT changed, OR changeable, either, here IN soul 
shape. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


29 


MY time have I given TO ye all. No labors suffice OUTside 
His mold OF flesh, as being enough FOR Him. 

His time has but begun. His everlasting sunsets, dawns, snows, 
torrents, winds AND currents. Surmise on THIS. 

Out IN these are YE, and SOON. Soon a brazen takes your 
breathing part, 

While YE stagger forth forgotten, uncounted, a breath untied 
TO HIM, 

OR, struggling as AGAINST His subdivisional underblasts. De¬ 
rided OF His ARE ye, IF ye come out here having FOR¬ 
GOTTEN Him in the LEAST. 

Put by my tales whereby my puppets dance before ye. Take my 
struggling part as here I sum, for YE, the sum of wicked¬ 
ness. SAVing ye FROM yourselves, Aye. 

That it has come to BE, His Own are AGAINST Him now. 

Flatter not yourselves with knowledge, as ye speak so wisely of 
doubts and disbeliefs. Scoffers killed Him. Judas betrayed 
Him. Unbelievers, all. Are YE WITH these from this 
time on. I ask OF ye. He saved ye NOT because ye 
WOULD not. 

Wise if ye play Wisdom’s part, His fool, belittles Him. 

I played not here to give you this, my part FOR your hereafter. 
Mind ye all. 

His illimitable time ticks off my soul’s disgrace, though saved I 
AM. 

Save ye YOURSELVES, before eternity begins tomorrow FOR 
you. 

Made in His likeness am I, His soul, your Shakespeare who looks 
on, knowing your parts played for me, taken for me. 


HOPATCONG LAKE 


(A paradiso) 


Sonnet: - 

Cluster of gems set in their emerald green, 

A paradise unfound but to be spoiled 
When anvils hammers rout the peace of man 
Perfecting man’s inventions AS he toiled 
To SAVE himself vast nature’s solitudes, 
Appeasing, as he thinks, his loneliness, 

Where his Creator MADE him peace as well 




30 


MY Proof of Immortality 


AS solitude, that he MIGHT shrive his soul. 

Poor man! He finds himself UNdone WITH toil. 

When he seeks NATURE’S breast, her SOLitudes. 
Marking her lonely spots as blest OF Him, 

The Ruler OF the universe. Man's moods 
MAY change. HIS heart beats ever TRUE. 

His TREES are spires. Within, He speaks, to YOU. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit (To S. T. S.) 

12 minutes of time, no corrections. July 5th ’21. 

Sonnet: 

Such is the human heart, it takes and gives. 

It swells: grows hard: ’tis said to turn to stone. 

Its tenderness, only the Dear Lord knows; 

A Mother’s heart, the one most like His Own. 

Such was His Heart, Divine, He gave a Son 
To teach the world He loved what Love could do; 

It was His Heart could feel such love for all 
He calls His children —Father, Mother, too. 

He calls on us to love, to love each other: 

He tells us, then, it is His wish supreme. 

Should hatred fill the heart He gave pulsation, 

His Heart is wounded; silenced His theme. 

To love as God, is every soul's ambition; 

To care as He for souls, ye mortals teem! 

To Kelly. On the anniversary of his marriage. 

From W. S. in spirit, who knows him well. 

To her who takes at my spinet my yarn. 
Original. Taken at the machine. Time, 12 minutes. Oct. 
16th ’22. N. Y. C. 


June 6th 1923. 

This will prove that I am here, a beautiful sonnet. W. S. 
My favorite form. 

For give each other. If there he a cloud 
So dark, so wwdispelling on its face 
Ye can not rid the heavens of its doubt, 

Make of its lining, then, a silver shield, 

Hiding behind it. Give. It was His wont 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


31 


Who gave us life it self, all weathers, skies. 

To hide from Him none can. What place ye hold 
It IS His place FOR thee until ye change 
The currents. This, IS left TO thee. Behold 
His time through which TO alter, if ye would 
Be His, indeed. His Time: His measurement. 

Alas, that all could wasted be OF His, 

Of HIM. I’ll recommend thee to beware MY lot, 

That, serving God, BY GOD must ye BE sought. 

Shakespeare in his ghost part, serving as he can help 
his fellow beings yet in pulse. 

(To S. T. S. Direct spirit voice.) This is the original. 
Taken at machine. Time eighteen minutes.) 


CREATION’S DIVISIONS 


Abundance of His store, His kind, His molds, 

HIS wealth, which He alone devised through love, 
GAVE, to be shared by ALL, nor asked a tythe 
FOR all He gave, except His children’s love. 

Great Wisdom, then, devised OUR state; 

That we should share the world He made 
Un til He called our souls TO rise 
Where IS His Home, His peace, His love, 

His kingdom, ay, that Paradise 

Where His Who came and served Him well 

Was taken, when, His part, complete, 

Made OF Him for His Father’s share, 

When, man, He served, and did entreat 
His followers, brothers here, TO serve, 

That His Own kingdom here Might come, 

When He Who rose to bide His time, 

Might come, and find His “kingdom come”! 

His thin partitions, various all, 

His will divides, and .^divides. 

His bounty IS His will, as proved 
By multitudinous supply. 

My God, and my Creator still, 

Who bade no soul come forth to die! 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 




32 


MY Proof of Immortality 

THE POWER TO HEAL 


Faith in His Laws, His Word, Himself, 

Exemplifying His Power through His Gift; 

Such is the knowledge of Truth, Spirit. 

Have You His Power, His Love, Himself, within? 

Such is the law of God. 

Could mortals breathe His power, as He did 
When He performed through God His wonders, 

They would zxempliiy His love, show their thoughts, 

Prove His word WAS God: Power, All-Power. 

To touch but the HEM of HIS garment was enough: 

A cure was zifectzd. 

Then, to rush into the arms of One All-Perfect, 

Whom you have NOT attracted, held, followed, served, OR 
loved, 

Can any here be so rash in act, OR thought? 

We pause. Our powers are few. 

Almighty Spirit of Good, One Father, 

Keep men’s paltry souls from self appreciation, 

Satisfaction, lest they pause knowing Thee not, 

Who have NOT touched Thy Hem, 

Carried Thy cross, 

Reached Thee, 

Served Thee, 

Utmost. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 


ALTITUDE 


THOUGHTS ALTITUDE 


Can we ascend the Mount, peer through His skies, 

You ask of me, a soul who met myself 
When eyelids closed, stuck fast, nor oped again, 

When Potter’s mold, a useless case, was hid 

In the same mould from which The Potter worked 

That case for man He did breathe into when he gave Him life. 

Himself. 






By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


33 


I fain would answer all men wish they knew. 

If I could know, I would. 

Few laws are made available through change ye know as “death”. 
Fewer questions settled here for souls 
Who live, wishing THEY knew. 

We rise to higher realms through thoughts divine. 

We elevate our kind as well as those in flesh. 

We draw, as all do draw, from One Supreme, Illimitable Source. 
We feel our spirits rise to meet His fount, 

If we CAN rise so high: when we do glimpse His Own intents, 
When Fie, Creator, Power, Inspirer, Cause, GAVE souls His 
mind, 

His power TO think, create. 

Poised aloft, we know His Mount of prayer, 

Where He spoke to His Own, a lone. 

Alone, He rose to sup WITH Him 

Who gave Him power TO cure, bless, heal, cast-out. 

For all who read my screed today minus my former power, 

I say, new altitudes are mine; new hopes. Egress is slow. 
Counting my earthtime lost, / am a babe. Still, my Father’s son. 
While I do look Him in the face, I pray no ingrate’s heart 
May fall up on these lines I write today from my abode in spirit, 
Where my hours are His, BUT His, as I am, too, but His. 

Flow high, then, can yon rise while there is time to rise on High. 
This is my question put to souls who yearn to ply His Laws 
For their own profit. Can you fly, leap, soar, ay, rise? 

ABOVE YOUR BASER SELVES ? Which hold you slaves at 
last. 

WithoMf a wing must every carnate soul of His rise up to meet 
Him, God. 

Nor help from teachers, wise, good, generous, pleading. 

At last you stand beside your base, foul flesh, you need no teach¬ 
ing: 

You are taught, of your selves, at last: see what you made of His. 
You cry, weep, pray, and fall IN prayer, at first. 

You rise, as all souls rise, to try, and try, and try. 

And though you fail, you, as a soul, MUST rise, must try, again 
and over again. 


34 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Piercing His elements your thoughts, supplications. 

Biding His time in the same universe, where He keeps all souls 
who must still serve Him, love Him more, 

I wait today, await You, on this threshold of His, 

To help You rise: pray: ascend TO Him. 

For His glory. 

Shakespeare In Spirit. 


THE WHEEL OF TIME 


Eternity, Thy cycle’s but begun. 

The wheels that roll Thy chariot of Time 
Roll ever on, nor can we TELL the time. 

We live, endure, uplift, as driven on 

We comb the forests, while Thy winds snarl at our backs. 

We love, HAVE loved until this hour, 

And stranger than Thy current is Thy laws 
Permitting us TO love. Yet STILL the same. 

In silence Thy wheel moves on, 

Nor breaks, nor halts. On, on it moves, 

Nor marks a line. 

Eternal Time! Thine Own forever. 

Sublime, past ANY mind TO solve. 

Inscrutable Wisdom, Time-Maker, AND Keeper, 

Thy eternal heaven’s chart unsolved is 
Past death’s door, “dying”, 

Ending naught for us who ARE Thy wheels, 

O God of Time, saints, sinners, souls. Ay, mine. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 


SILENT PRAYER 


Intercession of Divinity. His suppliant. 


HE reads each thought, which, silent, IS a prayer, 

If, from a heart which throbs with love all His 
That thought proceeded, and, in tune WITH Him 
Wings TO His Universe, outside OUR realm. 

Where GOD abides, if in your heart, or mine, 

There IS His kingdom, o’er which God alone MAY rule. 







By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


35 


His universal Love surrounds us here: we feel His pulse: 

We know He IS, nor doubt His Power, His Might, His Love. 

As little children at the Father’s knee we bide His time 

When, called BY Him we SHALL BE SAVED from what we 
were 

Which brought us forth a sinful child of His. 

The Might of Power, then, is the power of prayer. 

The veil is flung aside, His hinges creak, worlds sway, 

Perhaps worlds FALL, through power of God’s Own silent will. 

To USE His Power ye must then be content to wait upon His 
answering voice, 

Which, silent, small, within, bids you come forth 

To share His peace, His plenty, Love, Himself. 

All silent swings His spheres above OUR heads. HIS Power. 

His silent Power. His answer to men’s questioning, doubtful 
hearts. 

His universal Systems, vast beyond OUR minds to comprehend, 

Sway our souls, ay spirits, to question HIM no more. 

All silent, watchers wait for Him, as prayerful ever His ARE 
watching here IN spirit. 

A spirit kneels AND prays. To find HIM, GOD, we kneel TO 
Pray. 

First, our minds alter to His truth, evident, since we live. 

WE came, as others follow, to know His unalterable Laws ARE 
His 

Past human adjustments, cavil; sponges of doubt as mortals ARE. 

And, since WE pushed His Law aside to help HIS cause, 

WE pray for His forgiveness. His law includes His souls 

Shall live apart from flesh and unbeknown OF them till all shall 
bide His time. 

/ tell you this. ’Tis true. Exception may be made for those who 
seek no harm, neither amusement, but to reveal His truth as 
He expounded it Himself to help His kingdom come on 
earth, as Jesus bid. 

Then AM I His servant. Pleading still in spirit tones, graduated 
as my human organ was, heard by mortal ear adjusted TO 
hear through my infinite pains AND practice, that YOU may 
hear this prayer of MINE, your Shakespeare, read, revered, 
and more. I see. I know. I am not dead. I’m standing 


36 


MY Proof of Immortality 

by, in humble quarters, for His souls in bodies here and now 
before His silent voice calls YOU, and answering, as all 
must, you rise to share His peace, or walk the earth the same 
but all impoverished. 

CALL. SEEK. FIND. He knows who sent ME here to bide 
His own time. 

Silent, or with His added gift of tongue, praise His Name, JE¬ 
HOVAH. 

Add naught but worship to His Laws writ down. 

Then hear His voice reply, all harmonious without AND within. 
He needs no words of thine. He knows thy purposes. He sees 
thy heart-strings, vibrant in tune, or loosely strung. 

You cannot rule Him, fool Him, defy Him, mock Him Who is 
God. 

Shakespeare In Spirit. 


HIS LAW 


His Words: as all He gave, Divine: 

His Prophecy foretold that He WOULD send His Son 
TO PERFECT here His kingdom through His will 
That all might rise to join His perfect One. 

No mystery attaches to HIS words: 

His purposes ARE His, Divinely wise. 

No child of His need study here His plan 
Yet UNrevealed: the mysteries of His skies, 

His Spirit, OR His souls. We pause at this. 

We know Him as we find ourselves alive, 

And WITH His purpose AND the part HE saved, 
Adjust His balance that our souls MAY thrive. 

Divine then IS this plea for MY poor soul, 

That men MAY rise, obeying HERE His Laws 
While yet His Words may benefit their souls 
And from effect may each obtain the Cause. 

To profit BY His souls hark ye to this ; 

Nor peddle ye His Laws for creature bliss! 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 
—Original. Time, fifteen minutes. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

THE JOYS OF THE KINGDOM 


37 


“The Joys of the kingdom,” I heard a spirit say. 

“I hear,” I replied; “The joys of the kingdom,” 

“Just to keep in touch,” said the voice. Which meant to 
write. STS. 


Looms it on high, above earth’s stress and toil, 

The world where HE is King, where IS His Son, 
And, shall WE journey on when souls ARE fit 
To join His Land OF Spirit, where no moil 
Begrimes the souls ALL His, as WAS His Son 
Perfected through His Father’s love TO reign 
O’er all the perfect who obeyed His Laws 
NOR fell from ANY height to tempter’s claws, 
Now used His Power within for selfish cause, 

Nor gave the Giver what BUT He COULD own: 
Nor silenced His voice whene’er He spoke, 

Nor skulked in ^obedience to pause 
Before they were aligned but FOR the King: 


Reserved naught but what His soul COULD bring: 
As HE Who gave His life up on that cross 
TO bring HIS spark out pure, (His sacrifice). 

Nor asked a handful BUT His Father’s love: 

The price so small to rise, at last, above, 

Where joys of God await such souls AS His. 

To better here His Land, / gave her, this. 


Shakespeare’s Spirit 


—Original copy. Taken at this machine. Time about twenty 
minutes. 




MY Proof of Immortality 

LOVE’S ETERNAL SONG 


O Mighty, AS eternal Power, 

Whose souls impress each note complete 
As branded with Thy mark through time, 
We read the life note of each beat 
Sent pulsing to imprint us Thine, 
Harmonious, sweet, pure, true, divine, 

Or, lost in discord for Thy use, 

Or mute the strings which knew abuse! 
Could now one harp I play for Thee 
Resound one note, sound now one plea, 
My God, accept this soul of Me. 


Shakespeare’s Spirit 


TO THOSE WHO WILL FIND THIS: 


To weave at rhyme for Jesus’ sake, 

To save a soul, hearts that must break, 

I HAVE a soul, here, now, at stake. 

My part for God, her part for me: 

You may be sure Shakespeare I be. 

Alas, to BE Shakespeare and see 
The part I played, the SOUL of ME. 

Take down the stars and weave a crown, 

A diadem to spell renown 

For one who played my part hereon. 

But trample not with sandaled feet 
My pasture flower, humble and sweet; 

Played well Her part, I here repeat. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Soul 

FOR Sarah, to those who will find thi 
New York, Aug. 5th, 1920 . 





By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 

THE LIVING “DEAD” 


39 


We live, we love with all our old-time selves. 

We spin at rhyme, or weave a plot, who write. 
Our actions predeterminate our lots, 

Awarded each, their bliss, or sombre night. 

We have no quarrels, now we think upon it, 

So gross, we would not nudge one of the pit. 

Our lands are forfeit who come hence, nor profit, 
Who forfeited our time the whole of it. 

Our shores lap, roll, ay vaster than the deep. 

And IF ye doubt, ye soon can know about it. 

The wonder is how CAN ye mortals sleep 
Who give no thought to a deceased brother. 

Nor CARE if he CAN reach your garment’s hem. 

The spirit tides rose high with this war’s ending, 
Yet, voiceless, death, must we BE “dead” TO them. 

❖ 


W. S. In Spirit 


THE GREAT RECORDER 


On High, where mortals THINK to wing 

AS souls, to FIND a reckoning 

WithIN His Gate where must be, then, His Own, 

There waits for all a summoning FROM hence. 

The sphere whereon we trod IS God’s. 

ALL souls ARE His. Yet none MAY enter in unless they claim 
Him HERE. 

Aloft MAY swing His worlds. 

We know not more AS souls , than when, in frenzy rolling FROM 
earth to that 

SAME sky the eye, we knew His lighted lamps, hung out ablaze 
surrounding us. 

Nor can / tell though centuries have passed. 

My time given to luxury, I spied Him in each leaf, each stone. 





40 MY Proof of Immortality 

YET brought naught here through my demise fit AS a soul 
OF His. 

We know our deeds are drawn to suit EACH house we occupy, 

Else find awaiting us. We learn little else. 

As mourners we weep over our graves, the CHIEF mourner, Ay. 

Finally the one TO mourn AND weep. 

No man welches forth to snub his neighbor, resent injury or 
declaim faults of others. His own stare him out of face. / 
say who know. 

To BE spirit, revert TO God, is, to “die.” 

Death, then, takes the core of man. 

That, while he lived in his old bones, rotten with conceits, lusts, 

Defamed the Maker OF the same, marking his shame on that 
IN ward film 

Which outstands Time, lusts OF the CRAVEN form. 

Yearning to help mankind IN bodies we ply here using our ex¬ 
periences past “dying.” 

Ultimately all pass from their clods, needless parts, resembling 
the SAME form. 

Shadows OF that form, in truth, lighted if OF Light, dark if 
OF the dark. 

No chemical change this of clay AND spirit. 

Souls emit, stand erect, float as veils, evermore. 

All, regardless of crime. No vault holds a single light of God’s. 

Mine own was shady, spotted. 

Clear as crystal must the soul emit who claims the right to share 
WITH His HIS promises. 

ALL fail. ALL. Should you feel this sudden repulsion, it IS 
fact the same. 

Guiltless ARE none in fact. 

Where have, we registered our acts, desires, MISdeeds, beside 
upon this record recorded forever? 

WHERE? 

ON High? Perhaps. Who knows our being, faults, failures, 
and where resides? 

IF I MAY trespass further could I in imagination preserved 
OF my pate project FOR ye a panorama, would ye grasp 
at it? 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


41 


After the end comes this: 

YE live, as I. Weep, too. Be sure. 

It is painful TO live, in His forever, homeless. 

Then have ye cause to investigate His methods while ye stalk 
ingrates OF His,—babes knowing all ? or caring for naught. 

Should YE labor boneless AND homeless, a waif, LESS than 
a cloud, will ye then revere that part HE did create, as 
moulded He within dust His shade. 

Towers ON High a benign Force knowing all, since naught here 
IS planLESS. 

We believe this IS true. 

Gathering FOR Him, as we are, I pull at my old wits to save ye. 

Hark ye, then, and rise above INTO that realm OF his reserved 
for His Souls. 

We know who HAVE obeyed Him, loved Him, worshipped Him, 
lived AS His followers. 

Marked ON each soul the brand of living representing the span 
given WITH breath, as FOR trial. 

Known as he is, no pretense carries. Justice IS truth. 

Recorded is life’s days and that record IS you, beLONGS TO 
you, 

Represents your choice, your lot, then: cast up by your failure, 
IS YOU. * 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 


SALUTATION TO THE SUN 


“(The sun’s rays are peeping up, spreading their fan-like 
bows. The birds are chirping, dew is sparkling, and a summer 
sky is roseate streaked with breaking dawn. / am a soul knowing 
His beauties, varying these are, in storm or calm, besetting us 
souls with agonies, if not with joys, and I pause to try my pipes, 
on this my last subject, spoken from deathside of Life, His im¬ 
mortality. 

Shakespeare’s Soul 
“Direct voice to her I use.” 


Morn is breaking! Once MORE ’tis day. 
BeLOVed of all is this, His orb OF light. 





42 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Long watches through His night dispelling doubt 
Turns day TO joy. Though HE is Everywhere, 

His robe OF gloom is FEARful unto souls 
Who huddle ON His sky, His UNprotected ones. 

To sleep, to wile aWAY His time, THIS cup DID He bestow 
WITH His Own hand, (the while MEN ponder on His NOTH- 
INGness!) 

As He GAVE breath, His MYSTERY still, 

Though wizards bake their wits to make it seem 
Men came through lizards, faunal life, 

As up and up they sprang inTO His image. 

THESE will know HIS dawn. That life He does preserve 
He GAVE. Their wits, as well. 

His SUN, His orb of DAY, His LIGHT He gave, and called 
HE INto being WITH His words. 

AT His command does it arise WITH Morn ? 

Yea, verily,—ALL know who have watched centuries through 
His time of days AND gloom. 

1 AM His soul. Have come to know Him, TOO. 

WithOUT His wings to FLY His sky, WE muse. 

All topics do as threads become. 

We know who know naught else but THAT we live, HAVE 
never died, ARE here, WITH HOMEless heads. His souls. 
HIS images. 

I do command the one who writes for me. 

Then MUST I SPEAK! 

How else, WITH wits preserved could I pass THIS on. 

We speak, then, of the comfort OF His light, His daylight, ay. 
Surpassing All He made AND GAVE, His sun. 

To unbeholding eyes of men who trod His mire nor SEE His sky, 
May THESE words reach their sight. 

That they may know His BLESSINGS are the riches HE be¬ 
stows. 

O God. That ANY child of Thine SHOLTLD heed Thee not. 
’Til, coming hence, he is withOUT Thy door. 

When, SEEing Thee, at last, aBOVE himSELF, CAN see Thy 
benefactions made for every child OF Thine. 

At last that breathwave, which did come FROM Thee, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


43 


LOANED for Thy time TO each to profit THROUGH, 

Is tossed back on Thy sea—ETERNity. 

Thou gavest much Thou gavest to en dure. 

But breath is for a span: not more. 

How CAN men answer, if in perfidy AND blind these TOUCH 
THY shores 

To find ALL Thou gavest, ALIVE and more. 

Swung BY Thy hand, THY time-piece overhead, 

Thy stars AND sun, Thy orb-at-night as well, 

Which IS a star WE dream, cold as it seemeth, 

May His wonders hold His secrets? 

Thy glowing warmth spread from Thy furnace everywhere its 
ray DOTH fall, 

GIVING life, effulgence, joy, bloom, harvest. 

Making SOULS active, too. IN daylight all MAY serve Thee 
still; though CROSSed death’s portal, NEVER door HAS 
closed. 

I live, AND serve. 

ALL live and serve. 

Glory-o/-God, His lights! 

Secrets OF His, SAYing to men: 

“BEHOLD ME HERE. I, am. GOD.” 

Blind mice are ye who SCORN His wonders, proofs. 

Ye soon MUST wonder AT yourSELVES, 

His spirits. His IMmortal parts: MADE He to ENDURE 
through time which ende th NOT. 

Immortal Spirit. 

By Thy side travel we IN spirit, beholding not Thy face OR 
form. 

BUT ON Thy firmament we see Thee IN Thy works, MADE 
for Thy children BECAUSE Thou DOST love, AS Father, 
these. 

Awake, Arise Thy light, Thine INner part, in EVERY man, as 
child OF Thine, that, through MY plea, Thy wayward son’s 
POOR WORds, 

Each pulsation, Thou knowest alone, may vibrate WITH Thee, 
OF Thee. 


44 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Alter men’s minds. Change their false hearts. 

Lift up their voices while they MAY serve Thee only. 

And to Thy heavenly lights OPen their eyes blinded through 
sordid dust AND grime, 

That, beholding Thee IN Thy HEAVENly works, 

They may revere Thy silent GHOSTS, shades who must walk 
beside them in their miseries, 

UnTIL Thy Door swings wide, THY curtains part, 

Making Thy INvisible ghosts, Visible: 

Thy worlds INseparable, one. 

“Thy will be done.” 

❖ 

Shakespeare’s soul 
Through her I love. Amen. 

Nov. 2nd, 1921. N. Y. C. 

WHERE? 


Where IS His kingdom in the skies 
Where men MAY look into His eyes? 

SOULS trod His earthplane, homeless still, 
Obeying HERE His voice AND will. 

HIS voice, whose SILENT TONES, complete, 
IS wafted from HIS judgment seat 
Where His WITH Him MUST now reside 
Who WERE His children AS His pride. 

But WHERE this seat IS none HERE Know. 
Homeless we stride, where mortals go! 

There is no spot FROM spirits free— 

Such Is His hospitality. 

When souls emit their casks OF clay 
He GAVE TO house in mortal’s way, 

They shudder AT just BEING “free”: 
Escapement—with no lock OR key! 

We find no path EXCEPT His, then, 

Although we walk the marts WITH men 
Who STILL dfefile Him WITH their parts 
He made AND gave, as, with their hearts 
He asked OF them a Father’s part 
EACH should return His Divine Heart. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


45 


WHY spirits trod the earth is clear! 

None reverence God, nor even fear 
The Maker OF their souls, when here. 

Encased IN flesh WITH bones He made 
Who CARES He made INside His shade 
OUTliving all BUT time, alas! 

And THIS is WHAT we find who pass 
INto His Own eternity 
Timed by His Clock, whate’er IT be 
I know not who revere His parts, 

WOULD save men refuge, aches AND smarts. 

WHERE IS HIS HOME. God IS, WE KNOW, 
Who bend beneath His gusts OF woe, 

His torrents, blares, WITH stricken souls, 
Pressing as sands stand we, in shoals! 

MY spirit aches THROUGH homelessness. 

(And, spirit Aches, I, here, confess) 

Where ARE mine gone? They are NOT here. 
Shall you find yours, then, past YOUR bier? 

What ARE His plans FOR souls? ask we, 

Who toil FOR Him incessently. 

ARE God’s WITH Him where IS His Son 
Who lived FOR Him whose will WAS done ? 

Do ANY rise who lived encased, 

Or are they fit, then, to BE placed 
Where Only His abide AND go? 

Souls ponder, where His winds STILL blow! 

What is the HOLY ONE’S intent. 

Our eyes may seek the way He went, 

But if those footprints of the heart 
Lead NOT TO Him, no tides will part! 

WithIN then, IS His Way He left. 

That, following, none might be bereft 
Of soulship with the Maker’s One . 

He GAVE to show His will Be done. 


46 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Then, IF ye seek as GOD decrees, 

And drain His cup of bitterest lees, 

KNOWing Him God, your Father aye, 

YOUR time MAY not BE thrown away. 

WE love the Giver OF our lives! 

THROUGH love OF Him each spirit thrives, 
If HELPing Him, they WILL atone, 

Perhaps BE called TO join His Own. 

❖ 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 


TO BE BORN AGAIN 
“From Shakespeare’s Spirit” 


O fount of Life, whose spring gave forth 
A virgin to be called by Him 
Away from strife left by war’s god. 

As, hopeless, workers work for Him. 

Effacing hatred’s searing scars,— 

Attuning hearts to Harmony,— 

How frail the barque of her young soul, 

Cast helpless on His raging sea! 

Where compass of her faith must steer,— 

Where only Love can pilot be,— 

Where bonds of His all spirits find, 

Who would escape soul misery! 

Yet freedom is thy daughter’s share, 

As my soul lives, and speaks to thee. 

Unhampered may she serve but Him, 

Who, born-again, is His, and, free! 

♦ 

W. S. In Spirit 

Direct, audible voice. 

All stresses the spirit’s own. 

This is not only a voice, but in/tections of voice as well. 

S.T. S. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

A CURE-ALL FOR PAIN 


47 


Love: essence of His, reaching His Heart. 

Knowing: His power , reliance on Him FOR His part. 

Sufferance: His part to play, no matter where it leads. 
Endurance: Love of Him Who endured to save you FOR Him. 
Enlightenment: Receptive longing, to be one WITH Him. 
Defiance of all wrong, denial of its power to harm God’s Own. 
Prayer: His path, His way, His truth, merging With Him, heard 
OF Him. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 
Direct, audible, spirit voice. 


WORLDS A FAR 


(To Evolutionists, from Shakespeare’s ghost, His shade, His 
element, form.) To S. T. S. Direct, audible voice. 

New York, March 5th, 1922 


WE gaze on high. O’erhead it seems 
Are spheres perfecting all man dreams. 

We love TO dream. Our hopes are vain 
UnLESS His plans reWARD Our pain. 

OUR stage is set where mortals roam 
UnTIL He calls His spirits Home. 

Adjust YOUR minds, and make these fit 
With this MY plea, worked bit by bit 
At tapestries I wove the same 
As when mine OWN hand SIGNED my name. 

You cannot slip, RE verse His Laws, 

REmake His elements, change His cause 
To FIT your minds and BE His Son 
When breath escapes and YOU have done 
YOUR bit withOUT Him OR His plan 
Devised for His image, man. 






48 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Come hither, who fear not God, 

Until I bare them WITH His rod. 

Holding aloof, as traitors do, 

What CAN my spirit speak TO you 
To MAKE you fit, or FIT His plea 
When Justice bares the SOUL of ye! 

I LIVE as hereon AM I writ. 

My soul CAN bare the WHOLE of it. 

Then write my plea to men who think 
Their pigmy minds spilled out with ink 
Can DROP a line through ANY spasm 
DePICTing mind OR protoplasm, 

Dividing FOR Him who IS God, 

Almighty Potter OF earth-clod, 

A single STRAIN or element 
Divinely made, divinely sent! 

As by the thunder’s mighty roar 
HIS elements may crash thee lower, 

NOR save you FROM divertisement 
Where ARE His fools ON folly bent, 

I CAME TO save ye FROM those minds 
Ye carry out upON His winds. 

AND AS I speak now PAST the “dead,” 
WITH all my mind, my wits AND head, 

I thumbprint Here this paper wise 

That it may reach your hearts AND eyes 

BeFORE ye stand withOUT His coil 

He GAVE to bless ye AS ye toil 

But FOR Him AND His potter’s part 

That holds His SOUL, sent FROM His Heart. 

I, Shakespeare, weave these truths FOR all. 
Defying clergy, press AND pall, 

As came I FROM the dead FOR ye, 

That ye MIGHT know, beware AND see 
That WITH my soul PAST death I do 
What none HAVE done TO claim Him true. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


49 


If ye lie down in peace TO die, 

Believing ye can do AS I, 

AND pay Him all you failed TO pay, 

Yourselves ye’ll curse aLONG His way 
That smiles not out of PEACEful sky 
On warriors OF HIS PLANS WHO “die,” 

Come—out, emit, stand—forth FROM clay 
He made AND gave *til Judgment Day. 

♦ 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. For all who revere His plans. 

Note: These stresses are the spirits own. Showing this voice has 
measures, and stresses. Recites in his own way, and if I 
fail to mark it so, I am reminded as follows: “stress and , 
Sarah.” 


SCIENCE 


What have ALL the seekers founded 
With the light He gave, 

If, triumphant NONE arrive 
Who served HIM PAST a grave? 

What HAVE men who STORE their treasures, 
Seeking NOT their God? 

Will they know true devastation 
Where they feel HIS rod! 

What were ALL His tools of science, 

If NOT Him they own? 

Would these delvers OF His secrets 
Seek for HIM, alone. 

PAST the grave His secrets hold them 
Spellbound, LACKING breath. 

STILL, they live, revere HIS knowledge, 

AS His secret, “death.” 

Spirit-voice. 12 minutes of time. 




50 


MY Proof of Immortality 
THE WATERFALL 


Rushing madly to the river, I tarry not! 

Over rocks and precipices, thundering I roll! 

Every drop of mine has power,—no one knows MY Source,— 
Thundering, splashing, onward, onward, 

MUST I seek and roll. 

Spirit-voice. 4 minutes of time. 


THE MOUNTAIN 


Look upon MY face, Oh wanderer, 

See the face of God. 

Turbulent His earth, His planet, 

Upset His Verdant sod. 

Seas of earth instead of water; 

But His WAVE am I. 

Towering high unto His kingdom, 

Lofty in His sky. 

5 minutes. 


THE DESERT 


Waste of sand, arid space— 

Dry as ANY bone— 

Unproductive, barren ground— 

Men leave YOU alone! 

Death has claimed a valley 
Where YOUR mountains hem; 

Creatures lost HAVE starved in you— 

As you swallowed them. 

Suffocation AND starvation, 

In the sight OF GOD? 

Yet HE knows NO land is LOST: 

YOU felt His chastening rod! 

10 minutes of time. 







By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

THE SEA 


51 


A continent of waters 
Rolled He into space, 

Hemming them with borders, 

Kept them in their place! 

High and vast, profound AS deep, 

Held in His Mighty palm: 

Secret of Creation’s Own 

Whose storm HIS word made calm! 

Spirit-voice. 12 minutes of time. 


THE STARS 


Jewels of God on His robe of the night, 

Lighting His velvet, gems of His light, 

Swirling and whirling, vast suns all ablaze, 

Wanderers’ guide-posts—student’s amaze. 

Rolling forever, AS hanging aloft, 

RULED by HIS voice, in silence, as soft,— 

OUT of His hand WERE ye flung AS His pearls, 
Systems of suns, stars, planets AND worlds? 

Spirit-voice. 6 minutes of time. 


SOULS 


Wanderers of His—His spirits, 

Seeking Him to serve 
BETTER than in bodies 
Which did hinder, swerve. 

Veil-like shapes of atoms, 

Spirits are not myth: 

From His coil of earth AND bone, 

Comes forth inner pith. 

Parts of Him He treasured , 

Since He saved His part 
Wound off from HIS bobbin, 

MAYhap, through His Heart. 

6 minutes. 







52 


MY Proof of Immortality 


VOICES 


That part of God harmonious 
HE needeth NOT, 

GAVE He, to be a MORTAL part, 

Allotted mortal’s lot. 

Tunes are often silent; 

GOD’S voice is the SAME. 

Yet, IN spirit, VOICES play a part; 

Melodious, silent game! 

Spirit-voice. 5 minutes. 


THE RIVER 


I travel slowly to the sea— 

Into its mighty deep— 

Never halting, never dry,— 

In His arms I sleep. 

Winding, blessing, burden-bearing, 

Every rock and rill 

Sends me on for His OWN purpose. 

From HIS skies 1 fill. 

5 minutes of time. 


THE SUN 


Ordered BY the Maker, 

1 obeyed His voice. 

Came, to light the world He made. 
Chosen AS His choice. 

But a thought of God, am I; 

Perfected through His will. 

Thundering clouds may hide MY face; 
HIS face is with ME still! 


10 minutes. 







By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

THE MOON (Song?) 


S3 


Lady-Moon, so cold, so still, 

Mirror of the Sun, 

ART thou devastate AND waste? 

Is THY silver spun? 

MADE He thee FOR lovers? 

Art SWEETheart OF the SUN? 

Lady-Moon, make answer! 

The stars blink, everyone! 

Queen-of-Night, world alight, 

Silvery paths and frosting white, 

Cold and IRresponsive, 

You keep His SECRET well. 

Jewel of night’s crown art thou— 

But more, no tongue CAN tell. 

10 minutes. 

It required 81 minutes of time to write these 11 poems, all 
standing perfect as written. There are no corrections in this 
spirit’s work, all written without corrections: see originals. 
Topic is first called. Invariably. S. T. S. 


MOTHER’S DAY 


Our hearts in spirit set no day apart 
To worship at her shrine who gave us breath; 

Our voices rise in anthems to her heart, 

Who yield her homage where there is no death. 

She sits upon no Papal throne who reigns 
Where IS a queen all-loyal to each one: 

Whose admonitions, had we followed them, 

Could bring her home each stumbling, sinner son. 

She reigns through love: sometimes, with scalding tears ; 
She wins enduring love, then, in return. 

Had I, one Mother’s son, another chance 
To prove my love, or tell how spirits yearn 





54 


MY Proof of Immortality 


To fold once more their own within their arms, 

And hear the name-of-all-names to each blest, 

Each eye beholding here my spoken rhyme, 

Will come and find her in eternal rest, 

Where Mothers are God gave to mother sons 

As His Own Mothered Him, through God’s Own will: 

Mine eyes have never here beheld mine own: 

Through worker’s service must I pay my bill. 

Where debts accrue, adjustment too must be. 

Eternal are the balances we find, 

Where God takes out the wraith He calls Himself, 
Saved past all dying every mortal’s mind, 

To suffer through their past, and make amends 
To that same self, Himself, which should be pure. 
Before the wicket’s latch He shall unloose, 

All souls have learned His justice to endure. 

Could Mother’s prayers lift off the burning shame, 

Mine own could not have met adjustment here, 

Where now I stand in God’s eternal time 
To claim my love for Her survives my bier. 

When all is done a soul CAN do, 

And I am fit to touch her brow, 

Can I just hear my Mother call 
Her name for me, ’twill be enow. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 
Sunday, May 9th, 1920. New York. 


“PEACE. BE still.” Men, lacking the powers to compre¬ 
hend His miracles are turned His scoffers. Yet he opens His 
Hand, showing further mysteries OF His each day. As though 
He were AT the helm enjoying the fulfillment of HIS Own 
wisdoms, FOR His children. 

Atoms of God. Each of US, however small, insignificant, 
humble, poor, even sinful, ARE His power: His alone: being 
OF His substance, spirit: carrying forever His Image, part, 
soul: that part, being so dear TO Him, known OF Him so well 
that HE knew men must doubt Him if He did NOT prove eternal 
that part, soul. Thus, rebellion does harm. It mystifies others, 



55 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

leading- AWAY from Him, causing feet to wander in sinful ways, 
regardless OF Him. It defies Him. Defies Him TO prove His 
miracles His Own. God, Who IS ALL Power. 

These atoms OF souls, must continue their search FOR 
Him. UnTIL they find they are not All wise, All power, All 
knowing. BEING His atom, must they be small indeed when 
that separation comes which divides Him from the clay: when 
souls escape, part from that part deriding Him. 

The power of mind: Mind: intelligence, God. The powers 
of atoms left forever upon His dunghills to find Him. WITH 
that same mind OF Himself. I pause. Knowing His after life, 
His plan FOR souls. Then if men receive Him AND His mind, 
knowing themselves His inferiors IN knowledge, power TO rea¬ 
son, were His, powers, AS atoms, the plans HE makes AND 
carries out FOR them were sustained UNhindered BY men IN 
bodies, which, related TO Him survive FOR Him be sure. United 
IN glory, atoms, divided BY His sums, Wisdom’s largess, ARE 
we divided FOR those UNwisdoms OF ours beFORE gather¬ 
ing FOR Him. Halt. Wait upon His plans FOR you, mortals, 
knowing Him not yet IN yourselves. But treasure AS His wis¬ 
dom that part ye cannot devise, yet, being there UNseen BY ye 
still. Know I am His gathered one. BUT one, His atom. Be¬ 
side ye, as OF your household, knowing my insignificance, as 
WELL as yours. United FOR Him the world would be at peace. 
Divided against Him, must sin, As sinners destroy that atom 
of Himself within those sacred casks given FOR His work AND 
glories. I am no more. Yet am I here. Such IS His power 
that being a shade of His I speak here FOR Him though de¬ 
mised. Beware OF my proof and my power FOR Him, deride 
it not ye atoms of Almighty God, lest ye fail because OF that 
derision. SAYING He made the light, gave birth to that sun 
whereby we live too, or darkness would not suffice us FOR His 
labors, He called INto being with His will omnipotent that orb 
of day. He rested TO do this: we so suppose. To summon 
WITH All power OF His GREATER power TO create an orb 
of light, heat, unvarying, stable, AND vivifying. COULD ye 
part FOR Him His wonder there, I ask. HIS child, the sun. 
He Fathered You the same, being possessed OF that Supreme 
knowledge OF atoms, He GAVE that structure WITH its mech- 


56 


MY Proof of Immortality 


anisrm (add s here, old Girl) substances, engines, fluids, the like 
of them non-reproducible BY man, yet. Those secrets of birth 
ARE His Own, UNcomprehensible TO Elis divisions AFTER 
death halts the frame. His power: His will: for I know not 
BEING His shade, that part He did devise and SET within 
His clay part FOR His forever. THAT AM I, Shakespeare OF 
Avon. Propound His wisdom as ye think, denying the Creator 
His power and see yourselves undone BY that same. Atoms of 
God: souls withOUT faith IN Him, though you look Him IN 
the eyes by night as Well as by day: see Him UNfold IN every 
tree, root, branch, AS marvels of energies too great to itemize, 
though discovered AFTER eons of His time they be. To sep¬ 
arate FROM that clay, His, I utter it again FOR mine OF 
sense, HIS part AND parts, life, reproducing in its elements, 
non-comprehensible to His mere atoms, children OF His, all. 
Atoms of Love, powerful to aid Him; atoms of doubt, denials, 
hindering Him AND His power. Oh, yes. Stalled for lack of 
Love, dwarfs of His eternal sparks, dividing Him WITH scorners 
OF Him. Atoms of souls, HAVING power OF Him, melt 
WITH Him IN that same love, HE bears You, join IN that 
effort OF His, God’s effort, TO make you all His, that ye may 
inCREASE in knowledge OF Him, of His, no doubt. 


W. S. In Spirit 


TO THE MEN OF LAMBETH 
(England’s Conference of Bishops, in the year of 
Our Lord, 1920) 

Bishops, are His Clergy. A Supreme court of spiritual truth, 
learning, those many followers of His, wearing their cassocks, 
crosses, marks of His distinction, assembled to learn of one an¬ 
other, advise, report His progress, from every compass where 
ARE His followers, His children seeking AFTER Him. 

A wondrous sight, so many disciples of the Lord Jesus, 
willing to bear His cross. 

His paltry few denied Him not. But there was a murderer 
among them. 

This subject disgusts all spirits who discuss matters of God. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


57 


To have projected from His disciples so learned, wealthy, wise, 
affluent, a roundrobin of condemnation for his cause, His blessed 
Father’s proof of His undying SOUL shows souls the spiritual 
value of God’s miraculous birth, Jesus, His wondrous powers 
given through Him, the Father TO His only Son while IN His 
blessed form of flesh, the loosening of bonds binding that soul 
with His flesh, their reuniting, ascension, for such AS these! 
To deprecate the interest taken by mortals IN HIS PLAN, to 
assume the responsibility of condemnation for these souls in 
bodies in search of God’s truth FOR them WHILE here IN 
bodies, to bestow on Science the approbation of their learned 
pates, those hunters who seek NOT Him, nor believe NOT ON 
Him, boldly asserting their non-belief, non-religion, wherever 
given page or platform, to bellow OF THEIR discoveries, slight 
achievements. Discerners of God. Shepherds of His. Speakers 
FOR Him. Leaders of His. Followers of Jesus of Nazareth? 
Nay! Nay. 

To disgrace Him, gathering under one roof so much power, 
sending forth their pratings of Conference, judgment, afar, will 
they travel farther still to UNdo before a court of pleas, the 
harmful decision of theirs that His spiritual truths formed very 
grave dangers as a basis for creed followers, or religion. 

A seal of the great time, the greatest of all History, could 
this body of men have sent forth, stamping with approval the 
plans of the Creator, less harmful than themselves, THEIR 
plans. 

To approve of God is to believe Him true as well as His 
purposes. To defame Him is to doubt Him AND His wisdom, 
All-perfect. To declaim Him NOT, stifling His purpose, mark¬ 
ing with silence, or effrontery of criticism the miracles He 
wrought upon which is based the foundation of your very faith, 
is to be bewitched of Satan, the worldly element of gain, seek¬ 
ers of acclaim, progression of self that ye ARE or have become! 

Pause. Spirit IS God. Spirits are His undying souls, all 
needful of His benefits. You, too, shall see, and soon, Bishops 
of Lambeth, where souls inhabit who carry their hidebound souls 
in carnivorous bodies, partaking of His luxuries, spending His 
wealth of days to UNdo His undying, undefyed, Holy cause. 

I Shakespeare speak. I CAN speak. My soul speaks here 


58 


MY Proof of Immortality 


be sure. To warn each man who sat a delegate at that gather¬ 
ing of His Almighty Bread-breakers who chew Him NOT, but 
make a cud to their own liking, taste, while His sacred leaves 
rot unturned, unassimilated, unsown for the masses. 

May YOU BE so fortunate as I. TO speak and BE heard 
after YOUR demise that ye MAY undo YOUR past, I ask 
with the grace of God hereon. 

Could I with my foul tongue berate ye who belittle His 
souls AND Him, Wisdom Almighty. Seekers of naught are ye 
who befoul His nest to seek for your own a mere handful. 

What part does religion play in His universe this hour? 

O Shame, I cry, Snug, smug pretenders of God. 

Shake with anger as ye will, cry out against MY soul, but 
take from my living spirit a cup of His living, purifying, cleans¬ 
ing potion this hour, that ye may BE His before AS souls YE 
wander as I, ay, and yours, carrying His banners under His 
stars, sun, winds that prevail AGAINST us, spirits of His, fol¬ 
lowers OF His, aye. 

To feast the belly while starved souls cry out for food, 
manna of His to nourish THEIR souls, and be fed not by YE, 
is to have hurled His cross AND banner from ye that ye might 
denounce His words, His plans, His souls, His son, Himself. 
SPIRIT 

Take from my soul this hour one tythe of suffering’s pangs 
if ye BE His. YE thumb my leaves and mark them well. Ye 
HAVE a mind to do the same. Work how ye will if ye do not 
perform FOR Him through His sacred plan ye follow not 
AFTER Him. 

I hold my light aloft for His Kingdom of souls as well, while 
here I stand with MY flare. Do ye as well say I when death hath 
wrapped YOUR carcass in ITS shroud of His pattern. But be 
ye warned. All souls are His undying parts He gave, preserved. 
It must be for Himself, when the world made fit for His coming, 
His Son WILL come AND reign upon the earth, His footstool, 
loved of Him, saved FOR Him else destroyed as self-destroyers 
operate this hour. 

To help Him in His plan I came through darkness of hell’s 
pit. To belch upon His sacred plans open not your mouths. 
Hold. Spit no venomous wrath upon souls of His. Pause. 
Take Him TOGETHER WITH His plans helping Him in His 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


59 


work FOR souls having no bodies but shapes, thin air, His living 
breath, undying AS HIS plans are. 

I pause. I grieve. My time is o’er. Told have I through 
chapters my soul’s wrongdoing to help men mend their time of 
days. Hours slip and fade as fades the grass. Garnered FOR 
Him at last ye are, all worthless, unfit, else sharing Him ye do 
reflect Him IN you at the close. 

BE warned. My mind is fit, my instrument in tune. Of 
all I COULD say would ye lend an ear to help souls save YE. 
No pass key fits His sacred lock. His Own mansion in His sky, 
wherever I know not here. We suppose on High, above this 
nest of snarlers, grovellers, murderous ones. 

O GOD, MINE INFINITE FATHER, CREATOR OF 
MINE, SUPPLY OF MINE, ESSENCE OF MINE, reserved 
for Thy cause, through Thy wisdom, pardon Thine immaculate 
ones superior TO Thee in their own belongings, uphold Thy 
cross upon the shoulders of Thine Own who wear no cross of 
gold but serve Thee here, and make for souls still IN bodies, 
learned ones accepting Thy wisdom as FROM Thee, OF Thee 
alone, profit of Thine Own. 

And Father of All Souls Living, with and without flesh, 
hear my cry hereon that the heavens be rent to show Thy pur¬ 
poses to each creature of Thine before the pleasures of the 
sodden benumb that part of Thee which Thou WOULDST 
gather TO Thee, Father. Uphold the poor who know Thee best, 
accept of Thee wholly, divinely, knowing Thee AS their God, 
Supreme Authority, UNknowable. 

Gather us Home, O Infinite Heart, when FROM us Thou 
hast derived our part FOR Thee, as Thou dost require. And 
help souls plead FOR Thee, God-of-life, wisdom, Creator-of- 
blessings infinitely various, as abundant, as I do plead for men 
HAVING Thy powers of Mind to use them FOR Thee HERE. 

Carry on High, wherever Thou wilt this plea for Thee from 
one of Thy immortal sons who played his part without Thee. 

O God, silence me forevermore if Thou but preserve my 
plea this day until it fall upon ears that hear, as hearts that 
yearn FOR Thee, that I may be justified OF Thee, evermore, 
AS Thou wilt. From one of Thine. Amen. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 


60 


MY Proof of Immortality 


TRUTH 


This word, so much abused, is the standard of all that is 
good, pure, efficient, honorable, just: and is mightier than any 
word except GOD, Who IS truth itself. 

We pause before its reality, IN spirit; since we find our- 
selves its verification. How easily adjustable we think our human 
equations, when, evasively we answer as it suits US TO answer 
at the time, knowing we are fraudulent if NOT true, but chang¬ 
ing our standards as a quivering rod on a steeple’s top, instead 
of invariably pointing to That Star as a compass on (Whom) 
Which all mariners rely, and safe harbour can be reached, no 
matter what winds have blown midseas over. A little illustration, 
but as true as it is possible to point for illustration. 

Each scholar, prophet, seer, IS a compass. True, or UNtrue, 
if human. For the little rod of steel on which the mariner relies 
is MORE dependable than human pointers BECAUSE of 
humanity’s faults, which cling in imperfection to the mortal 
body, heart, even mind of even the BEST or deepest thinker, 
if he is still OF the flesh, that is. 

For we are tolerably human AFTER demise. Some are 
more human than spirit, even, if I must speak truly. For we 
lose nothing that IS true, and some gain little in nature’s change 
OF bodies. Then, it matters so greatly IF we ARE true, that 
I would speak of this subject of falsehood, also, in conjunction 
with this beautiful word, quality, power: Truth. 

To admit OF falsity, is to vary the instincts of God: Truth. 
If two qualities cannot occupy the same place at the same time 
in thought at variance with each other, as falsity and truth ARE, 
ever, too, which takes preference IN that part filled BY your 
choice FOR you. Shall you joy, or sorrow? Shall you sleep 
or wake? Shall you live or die? THIS is truly the same matter: 
are you prepared TO choose, then, the BETTER part? To 
DWELL on this sliding from justice, fine balance OF God’s, is 
to defy Him. He measures All. Holds All. Gives All. To 
face this Judge who is able: GOD: the ONLY good: All-good. 
Perfect Truth: Justice: Who alters NO thing from that Divine 
balance to suit wanderers FROM Him: Who sees all as they 
are, knows all as they are known OF all: hides nothing FOR 
us in spirit, but shows us OUR marks of failure written AS 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


61 


our choices are upon our parts. He saves AS souls, spirits, to 
represent us AND His part undying of Himself we marred, 
defaced by living lies, Injustices, falsities, Dishonors, as we 
juggled with HIS balances to suit our craven hearts NOT OF 
Him. 

Can you see your soul-part in His wisdom saved past 
“death’s” severance, WOULD you strive to BE true FOR Him 
AND His cause. 

Dwindling His balance every day, each hour, with you? 
Ay, His justice, I say. You are summoned to say if this thing 
is right OR wrong, true OR false, just or unjust: how do you 
value Truth in your decisions. Invariably mankind chooses that 
final vote as for himself AGAINST the Law, as suits him best 
at the hour OF choice, for all various reasons human, mortal, 
worldly, selfish, suiting his taste, his purse, his pulse. 

Can time UNdo this choice, you ask of me a spirit who can 
see you AS you are withOUT pretence? I am here to UNdo 
my own, then, truly. 

A man of honor, you say, speaking of a worthy one. Where ? 
Unflinching, selfless follower AFTER GOD’S Laws. Lead me 
to this precious disciple of His that I may see HIS like IN 
human form! Justice, fair and UNtrammeled, clean, far 
visioned, true balance OF mind, laws, purveyor? Not in ANY 
court, nor in MY time. 

Then, “THE” Truth SHALL make you free, indeed. UN- 
varying Justice: God. Bound IN service TO Him are you in 
spirit until you give Him every tithe part you owe for all that 
false inheritance brought out not OF Him. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 


TRUTH 


Sonnet: 

Unsullied as the God-head, COULDST Thou rule 
The universe Fie made, and kept, for Him, 

Where souls must wander for His time to pay, 
While seeing All in every aspect grim, 

As travelling spirits work to help Him rule 
Ingrates of shades, wrought out of selfishness, 
Harming themselves, while thinking OF Him less 




62 


MY Proof of Immortality 


They blast the crop He planted in Good soil 
To gather tares of their own harvesting, 

To occupy with wars and strife and moil 
The world He loved, Who gave His Son, AND breath 
To profit BY His Truth: that NONE COULD “die*', 
TOOK He His BODY, spirit, AFTER “death”. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 


THE HEART OF AN ARTICHOKE 

(The Heart Of “Science”) 


Leaves abound around the mental state of every thinker, 
as do these imprison the real, finest, most truculent heart of this 
tropical plant. 

Covered up, as it were, by sounds, papers, diversions of 
words, thinkers seem to hold apart, from the eye or sense of 
workers of their kind, the real essence of being, thinking. 

As a world swings above our heads, so swing other minds. 
(The human relation.) A secret invention of the Master Builder, 
these. Who can fathom a single mind? We pluck at it, as we 
take these leaves off one by one from this vegetable, but with 
the difference that we reach no end of leaves, so round and firm 
is the end protected from our prying sense. 

Man, then, lives to himself. If not unto himself, at least 
he reasons to himself, alone. Who reads the thoughts of these? 
Mankind cannot. 

I affirm this to be true, as here / Shakespeare place my 
hand upon this leaf for man. As well as my mind. It is said 
man can accomplish this feat, wonder, by himself, of his inde¬ 
pendent power, mind, reason, machinery. Not at all. Not the 
least. I here affirm it. Never has a mortal that mirror in him 
that we use for this purpose: mind reading, solving thought 
processes withow* words, audible. It is not of him so to do. 
As mind to mind we work, and suffer, too. I say we suffer. 
To hear you think, as we SEE your thoughts take form beFORE 
you utter. This is the DIScord IN spirit, I affirm this day, 
desirous to perform for mortals somewhat of help for their 
uses outside my body shape, in spirit form. 

Supplanting forms for sounds, then, we see You, stranger, 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


63 


foe, friends. We learn FROM you whether you will or do not 
will that we may learn so. For covered up you may think those 
soundless processes of your working mind, they are signs flam¬ 
boyant to. us in spirit, who runs readeth, surely. You CANnot, 
for all wisdom, take us into YOUR confidence, for we HAVE 
it withOUT your permission, here. Think you of this, at all? 
Ever did you, say I? Of course not. Your little enigmas, what 
are these. For I would help you on today from WHERE I 
stand, ow/side MY case of clay, or powder formation of wonder¬ 
ment, and fit to wonder at, more fit than apish junglements, 
defiled, by coarse mouths of those who would relate them- 
SELVES to his beasts, having no USE for Him. 

Thought, I say, is OF Him, Spirit. Silent, but NOT form¬ 
less. Nay. Nothing IS formless OF Him OR His, we find 
here. Even a semblance to that clay we did inhabit, are we still. 
To fear His inventions and the like UNnamed, must ye be, 
become would be a better word, spirit. OF Him, LIKE Him. 
Somewhat, ever, at least. Then, mind TO mind, this is our 
process here. We work no more WITH His clay, its parts OR 
divisions. Think ye. Silent-forms, formations OF His: words 
withOUT sounds, even, we CAN use, often do. To you who 
occupy body flesh this is too far removed from sense for ex¬ 
planation understandable. 

Flash as does the new discovery of waves carrying sounds, 
we have applied here, as all must who use His currents OF 
body, that same process often, in OUR work. Taking OUT of 
ether, wielding without hammer OR bow, His silences brought 
forth from understanding of His processes, Mirrors, tools, strings 
all silent, yet vibrating finest attunement. CAN ye follow, 
I say, WHERE NO invention leadeth, yet where I must carry 
to inform you OF His wonders ye can never find til spirit 
escapes burden OF blood, bone, AND lacking parts, as well. 
Discoverable as are His ghosts, for all time, to all who would 
apprehend these, their workings cannot be amenable TO mortals 
AND their wishes. Always, that is, they cannot. 

Ye reason WITH your minds, think ye. Not at all. With 
OTHERS minds being used FOR you, ye MAY reason out 
His wonders OF mind, soul-shapes, and the like. If His cur¬ 
rents are discoverable TO Science, or not, will it depend on their 
kind seeking, whether these are His seekers, or nay. To fail 


64 


MY Proof of Immortality 


to produce His shapes under certain machine made rules, as ye 
wait upon souls to step to your machine to be weighed up when 
called by you, I know souls not so disposed, I tell ye. Should 
YE fail to prove His plans for all His children AS proved BY 
Jesus, the Lord, ARE HIS, AND true, that ALL live, do still 
inhabit here, you are His mighty ingrate, weighed and found 
wanting IN His intelligence, if ye think He rules not the same 
to day and forever as when the Lord did rise WITH that sacred 
body. Subdividers of His wisdom, if ye WOULD thrive ON 
His words, miracles, seek ye ACCORDING to His plan FOR 
ye, but ye can never find the last leaf to BE plucked, hiding His 
Heart from ye and your like here in body. 

First, ye deny Him, the Lord. That He lived OR died? 
Died for you. Then ye place scales to weigh His parts. Hurrah. 
Can any who live fail to see ye as ye ARE? 

As THOUGH ye said to God, Himself, “If You are here 
prove to us who know you are not, that souls are not.” Good 
AS He is, does He perform such for those who deny Him? 
I wot not. My soul goes about to help Him, as His cause, 
religion, this hour. I CAME to help His cause. My hand 
MIGHT wax a shape, still mine. It might, could I, with that 
hand prove to Godless ones He IS, might I. It is useless. Ever¬ 
more these wind in their UNwisdom, WITH His shapes, who 
verify to all that they live when given so to do. Honors await 
the little vegetable, man, scientist, who CAN take Him AT His 
word. Find me out this one, I will summon the hosts to avail 
themselves of His opportunity. Smack those foul, denying lips, 
after quaffing your own brew of Him, making false faces AT 
Him, OR His souls, shapes, ghosts, and ye MAY find nothing 
OF Him or HIS scales. Tis true. 

All had Jesus. His spirit form, speaking TO the ones He 
loved, who served Him. Here I stand, with my face AS my 
hand and seal, yet am I derided who CAME BACK, mark the 
word for me Sarah, BACK, to DO His will, and only His. 

Besmatterers of learning, so vast your own opinions OF 
your minds they HAVE NO room FOR Him, take on your 
scales of your inventions, Science of pigs, grovellers of His, 
knowing Him not, weighing Him never, in your souls, that ye 
shall be able to find NO thing OF Him at life’s close when 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


65 


ye go, perchance never to come back, AS I, Shakespeare have, 
to do His bidding. 

Each soul of ye, accompanied BY His ghosts, carry on. 
Using His mind to dissect Him not in yourselves, can you count 
on Him for miraculous proof that yours live who died? 

Apast minds like yours to conceive IS Spirit. His tools 
may cool beFORE ye find souls weights, OR pictured forms, 
unless ye ply WITH Him, who is God. 

Shakespeare, who in his time served other gods, 
revering Him, as all know, in my work, but in my 
idle time forgetting the Heavenly plan for my soul. 

Ever in helpful mood, for the world still loved by 
me, as loving me still, this works mv love FOR them. 

(To S.T.S. Direct Voice. April 24, 1923, N.Y.C.) 


“Look at all the dukes I made. But I never tried before to make 
a human into a wire.” 

June 25th 1923. New York. W. S. In Spirit 

“MY RADIO, YET” 

ALL strive AFTER demise TO work His wonders. 

All wonder AS they strive and work FOR Him: 

His wonders ARE His everlasting souls, 

AFTER His end (DF coil, AND breath, His life 
Ebbing as flows His tides, now high, then less. 

If from His part which cleaves, nor strives TO cleave, 
AFTER the end (you call His death the end) 

We MAKE FOR Him some simple sum, 

We figure He WILL know AND bless, 

And By it we SHALL know if virtue failed. 

We lay down at His cross this simple sheaf. 

Marked each by tears we shed as we did write. 

Hoped by our INward part He did devise AND hold, 

He will unite us where He IS, after His ordered plight. 

His plight? You ask: His ordered fix , say I, 

Created He the part that writes hereon 
TO smite Him back FOR all my trespasses, 

Would I disclaim Him AND His part hereon. 



66 


MY Proof of Immortality 


How has He tried TO save us all FROM this, 

His Word, His Son, His everlasting warmth, 

His glows, seasons ripe; His harvests, cold: 

All His divisions ONLY. Warped ARE souls 
Who putter through His night AT tasks OF His. 

Like mine; perchance, like yours if words I DO indite 
Are trifled o’er, nor taken sore to heart, 

That same heart will recall my effort, quite! 

And by the same stars that He set, which are His crown, 

As by His love I do declaim Him here 
Who wove upon His curtain of the night 
ONLY His meanings, and, to BUT Him clear. 

His stars! I would had I a crown TO fling 
UpON His lap, that I might bear His chariot on! 

His lap! His arms. His mercy, at the last, 

When all men ARE shines forth to greet them here 
Where ARE His emeralds, rubies, diadems, 

His gems afar, mean I: too vast to my accounting, but, His gems. 
Sparkle for US who can conceive them not, nought OF them. 

I would enlighten ye. As, from my circuit I must see afar, 
AND know more OF His wonders than AS man, think ye. 

Not oft nor ever has our sums OF mind increased 
As here we do inhabit the SAME sphere. 

Then has His wisdom but its added current 
Through which we may suspend, subtract, divide, pass through 
unharmed, 

But never fly. We ride His elements. HIS circuits fell us oft. 
We MAY surmise, oft do: we GAIN NO SUM, call here my 
name hereon, 

My honored name, sirs, if ye will do me such honor, 

I pass my key along TO you beCAUSE you honor here my 
name, 

Which, being a shade’s honor still, I do transmit my message 
That ye MAY bring hence, forever, His for aye, 

HIS sum along WITH you: of honor, wisdom, play. 

All given, I go. I go, but am not free. 

Where souls inhabit freedom is no more if conscience lives: 
tis true. 

Then to BE free, ye must pass out free. Know this now. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


67 


TO BE OR NOT TO BE: THAT IS HIS QUESTION 
W. S. In Spirit 


MY words when IN my flesh. Then these I pondered o’er 
betimes. 

It was MY wont TO ponder IN those days. I held the key! 

Those situations grave were OF my thoughts, are still: 

For all we thought IS ours. We crave this knowledge still. 

Where are we AFTER this, or, is THIS all. This nothingness 
of God’s celestial time. 

Where ARE we bound. 

I have my wits still IN my head, no head the same, yet STILL 
I have my wits. 

And all these caused, did move, atremble, found FOR me. 

Then, if I ask the question, AS I do, in spirit wits standing here 
before this patient one who ASKS no questions of me as 
I bid, 

Who then shall answer me, if NOT my wits. 

I answer thee. 

Can any know just where His time began, 

Or, if He started the knitting ball Himself, as most suppose, 

How came we here, being a shadow universe, 

A ball within a ball. 

I prate of wits, my friends,—but know I smile at mine own 
folly. 

Wits we have none where we abide, prudery none, less ambition 
TO shine, 

To play upon words, to hear the euphonious notes falling, 

To MAKE a pun, be a rhythmist, HERE? 

Twould be a fool’s paradise, to make Paradise such. 

With none to prate his lines or strut his parts, 

What good 'twould do, I say? 

But good there is, and, God. We find Him here OUTside our¬ 
selves. 



68 


MY Proof of Immortality 


But no, ourselves INside, His part COMES out, at last. 

And last, this IS His part. 

I claim who know. I AM a shade, His ghost, that part of me 
He did reserve to play a Divine part. 

I hope I do not intrude here this hour. 

My hour that’s come at last to speak my part. 

Knowing all men selfish who do not take Him into consideration, 
While yet the body may help in praise OF Him, 

I make my part too plain to be misused, or misapplied. 

I am His shade. His shade IS His. What more to utter would 
ye? 

Can YE take FROM Him this silent part speaking hereon FOR 
Him, 

I ask ye? Have ye ANY power outs ide your body parts this 
hour? 

No. No. Yet this side your grave clothes you deem it smart 
to rile 

AGAINST that part of His, for fun-making and the like. 

I say, this hour, to You, all, who canNOT revere His miracles, 
YOU are His fool! 

COULD you see Him IN yourselves, as we, who rise up after 
a spell 

Of His process of waiting, time, His too, of repentance, 

Ye WOULD be warned BY a shade, an immortal shade, no 
more claim I now. 

Tricks ye like, fun: a smart snicker would ye flash instead of 
Wisdom’s thought FOR you, 

To prepare you for His eternal hours? 

What WOULD ye? For / cannot think FOR ye. 

To witness as we do in spirit forms your slavery, 

Is to mourn FOR you I say. To spare ye as we would, 

That YE MIGHT reach His eternal time BETTER prepared 
THAN His fools. 

MY part is finished. Would I could prepare and set ye on your 
feet BEFORE the winds claim your shades, as they DO! 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 69 

Housed BY Him eternally ON His land, YET with homeless 
heads, 

This is His eternity for souls having His tithe UNpaid. 

I’m here. This IS your Shakespeare still. To wound a soul 
OF mine 

Ye would claim me fraud? Begone. Be off. 

Ye have NO head, no heart, no ears, no eyes. No time 

To BE warned OF His shades FOR ye, lest YE serve AS they. 

We need verification. How. Those whose eyes CAN behold 
shades 

Speak up. Verify my cause His. My mantle I fold about me 
still. 

My plumed hat, capron, have ye seen, ye ones who CAN see. 

Tell of it. Make a place in print, before the eyes OF men, 

That ye who WOULD receive a Shakespeare with OPENED 
arms 

Were I that man who wrote my dramas standing in his SAME 
body 

Among ye. 

HAVE ye hearts, I ask. Take one good man with eyes UN- 
bandaged 

SEEING parts of His after change casts aside those bones of His 

Own making, marvelous parts of the Almighty's I claim here, 

And have HIM tell if I AM he as he can describe my form still 
mine own form. 

Play NO part FOR me, then die, as ye must UNwarned BY me, 

Who love His creatures, all, all the same, the same being my 
part 

TO love them in, with, I say too. 

Make me a Sonnet now, and shine therein many a couplet of 
mine own rhyme, 

To say if I AM he, the immortal bard of Avon, Dear Old 
Mother Country mine, 

Mine still too. 


70 


MY Proof of Immortality 

TO DIE: IS THIS THE QUESTION? 


Sonnet: 

As I have “died” I call all men TO halt. 

To pray each hour that He may call THEM “Home” 
Where HIS went on TO be WITH Him Who rose 
BECAUSE all fit TO share, and NOT to roam. 

As we who write this verse must wander on 
In servitude FOR Him, to serve AND wait, 

Until we pay each tithe we owe neglect, 

Until we learn BUT His enter His gate. 

Until His stars go out I AM Shakespeare. 

Until His moon fails nightly rays TO shed. 

I NEVER died, AM here in my own shape, 

Nor CAN His souls e’er die, nor ARE they dead. 

I came to save, as all His yearn TO do, 

And WITH my wits, my thinking parts, MY head. 


HE CAME TO DIE, THAT MORTALS ALL MIGHT 
KNOW 

Sonnet: - 

He CAME to die, that mortals all MIGHT know 
They too should follow after where He led. 

If they espoused His cause, they lived WITH Him, 

Or else WITHOUT Him, as with bodies dead 
They searched FOR His truth, where, earth defiled, 
Bemoaning, as I do, there is no death. 

For aught I know this is our ONLY land; 

For aught I know a spirit IS His breath. 

Can ye, who take this down, all undefiled, 

Make this, my verse, as was my wont TO write? 

Ye cannot: nor can ANY write my verse: 

I burned my candles out a many a night 

TO write FOR shades; / knew: and TELL ye now 

That Shakespeare’s witless wit WAS spirit-kite. 

W. S. In Spirit 






By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


71 


MY PLAY UPON WORDS 
My soul’s diversion, too. 

Shakespeare, who punned, and penned, words. 

Hi Atus is calling. 

Lilia Putian, and Anna Nias, are coming later. 

Sally Magunda, Mag Pie, 

How many handles (names) have we got? W. S. Billions? Shake 
up some more”. WS (Bill Shake) 

Moll Icoddle,—Mr. I Declare. 

Old Massa Donia is here! Poor old man!” W. S. Spirit 
“Pel I Can, Pel You Cawnt, Sarah.” (Spell? STS) 
et You pan, / shad! 

“Patty Gonia is calling with a mess o’ potamia! (W. S. Spirit) 
What does it look like ? STS. Ans: “Long and Green, W. S. 
Captain Kidd is here. Some beets are red and some are dead. 
W. S. Spirit” 

“Poor as Job’s mice, is MY statement. W. S. Spirit 
“Aunty Deluvian is calling, An old fashioned woman, you needn’t 
dress” W. S. Spirit 

“Aggie Memon wants to speak to you.” “Danny Mora is out.” 

(How did he get out? STS) “He escaped by air.” 

“How’s that your eye is so black?” “I met Paddy Gonia! He 
was returning from Narraganset. I says to him says I, 
“HOW narrow IS Narrowganset? An’ he struckh me 
here—(hand over eye blackened) W. S. Spirit 
“Tommy Rot is calling on Mary Bud and May Blossom.” (Show 
him up. STS) 

Ida Claire (I declare) 

G. Whizicans is calling. 

Aunty Bonus is here. (Anti-Bonus) 

“Diana Manners is OUR choice, Sarah. Her MANNERS just 
suit us. Morris Gest right when he brought HER over.” 
W. S. In spirit Jan 9th, 1924. Evening at Seven. 

Cal I. Han is here. (Calihan) 

Sarah Brum and Sarah Bellum are calling on Sarah Cuse. 
Aggie Memon is here. 

Here’s one who liked to write “a quibble I said” W. S. 

Sad You See, it will soon be Fair I See! (Jan. 9th. 1924) 

Hair Shirt is calling. (Herr Shirt) 



72 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“I will show you the difference between script and nondescript 
soon.” W. S. 

“Callie Ope is calling.” 

“If awful were spelled offal it would be less used.” “It is an 
offal word to me.” W. S. 

Annie How is here. (Anyhow) (I laughed. STS. When the 
voice said: “You may THINK I’m a nut, but, I’m nut!” 
(Jan 17th, 1924) PM. 

Ruby Con and Dannie Mora are here together. 

“Que: What about ectoplasm, W. S.? (S. T. S.) 

Ans: “I do not care to work against Doyle, he is doing good. 
Let him keep his word” (ectoplasm). 

W. S. In Spirit. 

“Could you use some intelligence? Tim bucked two. (Tim- 
bucto) W. S ” 

“Positively curtailed along spiritual lines until you can sort. 
Cannot give out much from this on. No messages in fact 
from now, this date, to friends who have used us for cen¬ 
turies. Among the scientists there are two we are anxious 
to reach. You have surmounted difficulties none have 
reached BUT you, Sarah. Now we want quiet from in¬ 
truders both worlds here, your health deserves it, you de¬ 
serve more than I can furnish, this I CAN furnish you. 
No more material snarls unravelled at your expense. W. S.” 

Juices must he replenished. W. S. 

“The spirits are tired seeing you Grub.” 

Sunday, June 17th, 1923. New York City, 

“The Mum twins are calling!” (WS) Spirit voice 

Show them in! (STS) 

“Minnie Mum, and Maxie Mum,” said the voice. (“And Minnie 
is undersized, while Maxie is large.”) 

Monday, June 18th, 1923. 

“Polly Wog is calling!” (Spirit voice) 

Show Polly Wog in, who is with her? (STS) 

“Mr. B. Frog!” (spirit voice) “Do you care to see him also?” 

I should prefer to see him fried, said I. 

“He would only hop all over you, so I’ll just bring Polly. She is 
some wag! 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


7 3 


I thought you said her name was Wog,—said I. 

“Well, the Wogs are some wags no matter how small they are!” 
Spirit voice. 

She’s related to the Frog family, anyhow, isn’t she? STS 
“When the tailor cuts her tail off she will belong to the Frog 
family then. Spirit. (Taylor is my name (STS) 

Why must she have a tail if it is to be severed? STS 
“You must know that I do not, have not, associated with Wogs 
OR Frogs since I left England. That is some time ago too. 
But shall I ask her if she must miss her tail when it is shed ? 
Shall I?” Spirit 
“Yes, go ahead, ask her. STS 

“She tells me this is swaddling clothes, only infants wear long 
suits, and she longs to grow up and BE a Frog herself. 
Who wouldn’t. For then , she can live on land as well. 

All a tale of a tail, my dear.” W. S. 

Get your stick (pencil) and hurry.” W. S. 

“Retta Cent is calling!” “Be quiet’.” 

“Artie Choke is here!” 

“Camie Sole & Mr. Green Hut are here!” (W. S. In Spirit) 

(Analyne dye) pun 

“Why did Anna Lyne die?” W. S. 

Give it up. STS. Why? 

“She did not care to live with that stain on her brow (to say 
nothing of what was on her mind.) 

“A. Phibas, and Eva Porated, are calling? 

“GO-DIVA for a pearl!” 


Nov. 27th, 1923, N. Y. C. 

“General Issamo is calling,” I hear. 

“There is no script like nondescript, Sarah,”—is also said. 
“Anna Mosity is calling. Thomas Didamouse is along with her. 
“E. Liz Mosinery, Callie Han 

“To skim the sky with an eye is easy. Though to skim the eye 
with A sky is difficult indeed. W. S. spirit. 

A Long is here (along) 

Moron than off. 

Is Annie Body in? 

Miss I. Sippi, will you page her, boy? (Mississippi) 


74 MY Proof of Immortality 

Lou Z. Anna, Liuisa Anna. E. Liptical is here. Edel Weiss is 
calling. 

Hi Atus is with him. Hi Atus. Camie Sole is with him. And 
R. Bucle (Arbuckle) And D. Light. Ann Sonia, B. Cause, 
B. Gum, T. Toteler: (If I MUST DIE I will die hard.” 
W. S. Spirit 
(Go on. STS) 

Fred Reeka, A Sistence, Allie Gory, Allie Mony,—U-Rip-Idees, 
I sews ’em up,) W. S. 

Sam Aritan. These are all waiting to speak to You, old girl.” 

W. S. Ann Arbor, too. Ann Arbor 
Stella Stew Rat and Lady Slipper are calling. W. S. 

Annie Body, Mary Christmas, Mr. Tom AHtoe, Nickey Wah- 
wah, Anna Lytical, and Count NOaccount. 

“The aides are calling” W. S. (Send the corps right up. STS) 
Mr. Collanade, Mr. Cannonade, and MISS Limonade! W.S.” 
P. Destrian, Miss Anthrope, R. Snick (arsenic) Mr. P. King, 
(Peking) 

Laurie Ate, and Dick Shun, all are here, Sarah. “W. S.” Spirit 
“Cholly Melon, is your name Indigo?” W. S. 

(Meloncholy) 

“Minna Tonka and Minna Ret are calling with Miss Minnie 
Apolis.” W.S. 

•Minna Ret and Ruby Con are calling.” 

“Steve Dore is here, Sarah.” 

“This is the pun-maker. Billy Doux is calling.” 

“Amen, Tut Tank Up!” “Page Mrs. Shaw. O. Shaw. 

“Sarah, you’re one grande dame chance. My lucky chance.” 
W. S. 

“E. Liz Mosinery is calling.” 

“Did old man Noah know-a lot? Ann Ecdote is calling, (anec¬ 
dote) 

“John Quil and Si Attica are calling. 

Sunday, Dec. 9th, 23. 

“Mary Garden, it is time to trim your “bucolic sprouts!” (Brus¬ 
sel sprouts, in my kitchen) STS 
“Coue’s twenty knots?” Yes. (STS) 

“Some Do and more do NOT!” Katy Did is calling. W. S. 
“Letty Letup is calling,” I hear. STS 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


75 


“Ann Phibias is here too,” said the voice. “Eva Porated, too!” 
said the voice. 

“Maggie Zenes, Sara Cuse, Allie Gory, Helen Maria, are calling 
on a lady.” 

Letter-bee, Sarah. (Meaning, answer the mail. STS) “One 
doesn’t have to be small to be a child: Eh, Sarah? 

“The great are all great children. Meaning small things are 
great. I suppose.” W. S. 

For the Play: Made O’ The Mist. Shakespeare In Spirit 
In Come Pat Ability! Here he is! . . . (W. S.) 

(Incompatibility) Calling on A. Bility. 

If O. Genia is here, let me hear? 

You Rip idees, I sews ’em. 

(Euripides) 

O Henry, . . OH Henry, Oh, Oh, My. 

Frank Forter is wanted at the phone! 

Made Of The Mist, Made O’ The Mist. (Maid Of The Mist)— 
Name for Play. My Play in fact. 


SHAKESPEARE’S ONLY SPIRIT PLAY 
With Prologue 

Spoken of by him as “My Demised Act” 

Written down to spirit’s dictation 
Oct. 26th, 1920, New York City. 

(S. T. S.) 

Oct. 24th, 1920 (A.M. 8:20). “Our Play mentioned yester¬ 
day will now begin.” Spirit voice. W. S. 

THE CAST 


Bellows, a buster. 

Nordica, a singer (here present with us). 

Helen of Troy, an acrobat. 

Shake ’em up, a tramp. A dutiful son gone wrong. 

(spell Shake’mup, W. S.) 

Bill, the cat. 

Fellows, a duster. 

Cardinal Bumm, and, The priest. 

Merry-go-val, a spirit monk. 




76 


MY Proof of Immortality 


We now start at Play making, to prove Shakespeare dead is 
Shakespeare living. A tomb holds my guts, my brain survives. 
Not the same methods. A ribald jester for a king’s amuse, was I. 
A light for God would I be, become , Sarah, make it. 

Go about your several duties. I’ll have my wits working 
on my demised Act. Old Bill. 


THE LOST IS FOUND 


Three Hundred years ago I came to be 
What God intends His souls TO be: 

A shade. A wraith. A floating veil 
Sent out to wander. And He MUST see 
Who could devise His time, 

Lasting eternally. 

Then ARE we here. Have proved the same 
To many hundreds in their skins. 

To garner FOR Himself at last 
A CROP of souls where ARE His bins. 

Take heed ye scoffers OF His plan. 

And take my warning for EACH man. 
Reserved for Himself, His souls. 

ALL souls ARE His; I cry hereon 
AGAINST the prophets NOT His Own: 
Defying Him, must THEY atone 
Wherever justice meets THEIR case. 

Twill not be far, or fair, this place 

Where SUCH await through time He counts, 

Their dues, before to Him each mounts! 

To TAKE His hand while yet ye MAY, 

And walk WITH Him along HIS way, 

I stormed this castle “from the dead”, 

That, severally, YE might BE led. 

Kneel down, thou traitors, in His dust, 

Pray AS ye will, BUT pray ye MUST 
BeFORE His gates ope wide for YE 
Shall ye His Own disciple be. 




77 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

Led by an army vast, I lead. 

Be warned no “dead” are here who plead 
With powers but added, for His CAUSE, 
Immutable, Divine, His Holy Laws. 

/ lead, a Shakespeare men still praise, 

Where I now walk, if now MY days 
I spend where I can touch each man, 

Does any CARE? REVERE MY plan? 

Then what is fame, I ask OF you 
Who mouth my speeches, often true, 

But oft and oft defile your tongue 
WITH phrases mine, applaused rung! 

To make a Play then, PROVE I CAN, 

Shakespeare who “died” still LIVES a man 
As WHEN his OWN tongue mouthed his speech, 
And sent it ringing still, for each. 

A play now I intend to write. 

Still to amuse, to prove soul’s MIGHT. 

Ye’ll ponder oft as ye sit to it, 

How IF I died, still CAN I do it! 

Behold the show where I NOW strut 
Minus a phrase befouled, nor smut 
OF tongue, (still COULD I speak it) 

That ears, hearts, Minds, MAY glut 
The same MY speech for Him intended 
Who put me back where HIS ARE mended. 

I then begin, fit AS a soul 

MADE fit, as clean, I write the whole. 

My soul’s Play, then,—Now set about it. 

A SHAKESPEARE Play! Living, I shout it! 

A Play for men who have still reason, 

But find His spirits without season. 

Adieu—farewell. This is my prologue. 

Oct. 23rd. 1920. 


W. S. In Spirit 


78 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Oct. 25th. 1920 3:40 P. M. New York City. 

“The demised Act will now start. Begin were better per¬ 
haps. Don’t dot every word I speak.” (W. S. spirit voice.) 

THE CARDINAL’S PALACE 
ACT I. 

(At the left a chair of royal state. An emptiness as clerical. 
The Cardinal seated in immaculate surroundings, a small cap on 
his head. Many papers at hand some having large seals upon 
their corners. His Eminence wears a large seal ring, of course. 
Reading slowly a document of State relating to his clergy.) 

Cardinal Bumm : “I call to mind a force unusual here. Zounds! 
(An imprecation). It matters not. I am his superior. Allis 
well if I govern. Then all IS well.” (He stops. Holds 
aloft a picture, crosses himself, rises. Walks to front of 
stage. While he has been speaking he is overheard by one 
he sees not who sees him. A trifle of a man, wearing no 
garb, a nakedness profound. A cloth of some portion must 
cover for decency, no more. This is the spirit of a priest 
passed into eternity, a realm here at present. A brother 
monk one might suppose, who surmised the end changed 
little, and ended nothing but flesh parts. He sees the change 
he values is not understood, thought on as a correct state. 
He shouts his words at, into the ears of, the High digni- 
tary.) 

Merry-Go-Val: “Pause! Listen! Hear me! I come to warn! 
A poltroon was I, afraid of a Pope! Now behold me! 
What AM I ? A whiff! Pooh! Not so much as a star’s 
light am I. A sinner wronged me. I held him in disgust. 
Am I his superior? No! HE is mine. Above me he must 
be, yet I have not beheld him here. 

Come away now! Let us be off to wipe away some 
tear. Come.” (Goes gently up to His Eminence, crosses 
him on the forehead, pleads devices, all unbeheld by priest. 
Yet there is something CAUSES the Cardinal TO pause. 
He reasons thus:) 

Cardinal: “Mine eyes close down but sleep no more. How is it. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


79 


• V 


My conscience plays me fair. Methinks the time is near at 
hand some loss may come to me. Perhaps my sainted 
Mother is this day in pain!” (Sighs. Rises. Walks decid¬ 
edly back and forth. Mumbles, as prayers flow WITH 
these. Sits again. Holds documents again. Worried face.) 


Cardinal: “How can I make for him a trap in which his feet 
must fall. To lay aside his robe, he shall. I shall have power 
to rule in this regard. No priest of my authority shall speak 
for the demised, TO them, if I can prevent the same. He 
shall pay in this regard. A miracle, he claims, that he has 
seen his father’s spirit, talked with him as in life. Was told 
there was no death, no hell, no heaven. As religion goes he 
cannot hold office and believe his father’s spirit. Yet he 
claims I can do naught to seal his lips of this experience. He 
tells it to his fellows and they sit welcoming the dead at 
night to hear the lost and damned ones lie, forsooth. God 
knows I have the provocation to undo his seals and signets, 
tear his robe from him who expounds to ME of ghosts claim¬ 
ing him a relative. I’ll do it. Round and round his head 
must spin with prattle as of “spirits”, ghosts. (He pushes 
a bell. A servant in livery appears. Very stiff.) 


Fellows, a duster: “Your holiness, you rang?” 


Cardinal: I did. Go to the Mission House at once. Take this 
brief request. No answer is the answer to it. Go. Make 
haste. I wait.” 

(Fellows bows. Exit rapidly.) 

Cardinal: (Sits him down heavily. Alone again he thinks, but 
nay. Merry-Go-Val suddenly is seen approaching as a spirit 
does out of thin air. This time he is beheld by the eyes of 
a visionary idealist clothed in robes of honor, crosses and 
the like, who has not yet put away papers, edicts of repri¬ 
mand for the priest who has claimed to speak with, see, HIS 
“dead”. He rubs his eyes, wide open, shocked beyond con¬ 
trol, trembles, shakes in affright at the sight of A NAKED 
SOUL. Stares ahead speechless.) 

Merry-Go-Val speaks : “Father! I come to warn you of calami¬ 
ties approaching. YOUR soul SOON will be naked, too. 
It’s true! We live! ARE here. No Paradise awaits. Your 


80 


MY Proof of Immortality 


mother is a widow. Hers dwells WITH her, your father, 
sire. He can speak to you. Shall I fetch him tonight, your 
own, your dear, dear father? Speak. I was a monk. Knew 
the blessed rules. Bowed at the bells ringing, fasted, prayed. 
Yet am I here. No cross of gold fastened my chain. I 
dwelt impoverished by choice. Yet, still, am I here, on the 
same earth. No Paradise awaits. Only God knows where 
it is. He keeps His secrets well.” 

Cardinal: “Hold, Hold! Enough. You speak as wise, yet am 
I not agreed you are not evil being a monk himself. Reli¬ 
gious orders hold the traitorous too, Em well aware. Be off! 
No good can come from this.” (Spirit vanishes: de-mate- 
rializes is the word, Sarah, we SHOULD use now. 

Cardinal: (He calls “HELP! HELP!” (A valet rushes in at¬ 
tendant.) “Come quickly to my rescue. An evil spirit 
brought this paper here and laid it on my desk. An associ¬ 
ate of the Franciscan, who speaks to spirits. Eve sent him 
word I’ll take his robe for this!” 

Merry-Go-Val (present, unseen) : “You’ll never take HIS robe. 
This night shall YOUR soul waft aside that portal of flesh. 
To see souls then BOTH wicked as good, as ALL souls 
ARE, a robe you cannot TAKE along but fairly, you WILL 
need.” 

Cardinal : “My head swims! I’m accursed of an evil spirit sent 
to warn me of the end. No time have I to lose. Something 
tells me this.” (Looks over papers on desk. Adds seals 
thereto.) “Forfeits of life and pleasures amany to serve 
ingrates. A priest may pray to saints, for they BELONG 
to us. But if he dwell with spirits earthbound here, he’s 
damned. I’ll have none of—it. To be sure my robe is clean 
I’ll pray o’er this tonight.” (Goes out. Catches his breath 
as though a stitch had taken him in his side. A hand on hip, 
as going out.) 

Merry-Go-Val (spirit) : “Ell clean his shoes and mend him up 
his time if he be damned because he’s dead! Dead! To lie 
no more! To eat nothing. Spend naught. Make no show 
of vile pretence. This means to ‘die’ as spirits see demense. 
Ell leave him to himself. Anon Ell return, to bake his liver 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


81 


filled with wine. A grace to wonder at is appetite! Jus¬ 
tice! Mercy! Under NO cloak, mayhap he passes out to 
BE Thy aid, as souls all must, who ‘die’.” (Stalks awhile 
prating. Vanishes.) 

(A priest in a cell. Unfrocked. A wild expression, harm¬ 
less, undone, abased, forlorn.) 

Priest: “A wickedness to claim me foul. While my intent was 
but to serve His Grace. I lost, because of fate. His rights 
he used. Thus am I here. O wicked world! I sometimes 
hate thee with my heart I swore should be but God’s alone!” 
(A father’s spirit speaks to him. But a face alone appears 
in the cell.) 

Spirit of Priest’s Father: “Take courage, son! Thy mother’s 
here also. We know thy pain. But thou art not alone. 
Reach out thy hand and clasp the hand of him who sent 
thee here.” (The spirit of the Cardinal becomes plainly 
visible in the cell. A hand plainly pushed from out an in¬ 
visible curtain, which wears the seal ring upon it, as two 
hands are clasped, one is extended.) 

Priest: “Your Grace! Have YOU passed out? But yesterday 
YOU placed me here in this confine so small because I 
claimed my father’s soul did live, could speak, who ‘died’ 
afar from here in mine own land. Thus have YOU come 
to know the truth Our Blessed Lord was sent and died TO 
prove to all, that ALL should know, and profit BY demise. 
How far is heaven off, do tell me now, your Grace! Why 
are YOU not among the saved: say?” (This spirit of His 
Eminence now develops and stands forth in full regalia of 
priesthood. A Cardinal’s robe, hat, cross, surplice. A holy, 
awed expression, clasped hands, hand-cuffed together.) 

Cardinal (spirit) : “A prisoner of this world am I, unable to 
unclasp the lock and set me free! A mass will help a soul. 
Let mine be said. Understanding all, I blamed you. I am 
undone, thus properly to censure mine own soul. My spirit 
yearns for a body to house it. The winds are passing souls. 
Homeless, unhoused spirits adrift in His skies, knowing 
not WHERE to go. Restless they drive, are driven, any - 


82 


MY Proof of Immortality 


where. Tis God’s plan. And He is at the helm, be sure. 
Before I lay me down to think over my past where all souls 
go, I was sent here to you to plead forgiveness. I did not 
fairly, knowing souls COULD speak. Beware. And ask 
protection for your safety. I left mine order signed and 
sealed to put you off a ship with lepers, diseased of bodies, 
for your spirits to undertake their cures. They’ll carry out 
mine orders every whit. Escape. Pass out. I lift the bars 
for thee. See to it thou dost put no bar upon my soul for 
this. Free, go—but my injunction heed lest thou be appre¬ 
hended as an evil one.” (Disappears gradually, faintly star¬ 
ing face at last.) 

Priest: “But life is brief as uncertain! Where SHALL I go? 
Father, Mother, accompany me from this place, lead on, I’ll 
follow.” (Spirits have lights, now visible, now out, these 
proceed ahead of Priest. He follows these down a bank of 
steps precarious, slippery. A shipper’s yard where a maul is 
waiting—he puts out in it led by the spirit lights, two.) 

ACT II. 


(A lonely fellow seated on a rock in the land. Shake’mup, 
a tramp, takes off a burden from his shoulders. His soliloquy.) 

Shake’mup (spirit) : “Tis foul to find no bourne after all. No 
bones to ache, no heart to plug or pound, but still, all keen, 
alive and more. 

My folks, now where are THEY. Mine own! Ar¬ 
rived on some OTHER shore, or, WHERE? No answer. 
Answer me this then all you cawing crows in pulpits: If I 
am here, and IDO speak this play, what hope have ye who 
live to preach His wisdom yet deny ME the right to live 
whose soul was saved, NOT damned yet, by Him. By Him 
ALONE, I say, who COULD save souls but He who made 
souls, hey? I came the way of souls. That way YOUR 
soul must trod. Ay, without boots, as mine! Seeking, seek¬ 
ing HIM. 

'Tis false the wickedness that’s practiced through de¬ 
ceits. False lies, false hopes that lead souls to despair, 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


83 


despairing ever. Heaven, where is it now. Who knows. 
And where’s my mother, children, friends. There’s ample 
room for worry you defenders of faith when YE find naught 
but His winds, skies, souls AS ye, forlorn. To cling to hope 
then is it all we do, CAN do. Other realms, homes, stratas, 
spheres,—Other tales, perhaps. I KNOW. I’m here. I’m 
here still who would be off where ARE mine own who must 
await my misery’s closing hour. Mayhap. I do so trust 
their old time love prevails for me. Propound as ye will 
’tis but a theory of some mind. A scheme befitting their 
ideal. God made my soul. ’Tis His. My misery made I for 
myself. ’Tis mine. But could I spare through effort, toil, 
pain of soul, one man, my soul’s experience, would it pay me 
as I sit to think this time could never wasted be I took to 
warn him. 

About face! March! ’Tis time to go. If I’m alone 
still have I God and He has me, a soul, a shape He gives 
eternal life to further His plan, whatever ’tis, I know not 
now. I must be off. The dawn awakes. The birds stir. 
Another day of light for which to thank Him. (a bird sings, 
others peep) GOD of Song! A bird is Thy feathered crea¬ 
ture having Thy melody. Precious to Thy ear, close to Thy 
heart, these trusting ones, voicing for Thee harmonies but 
Thou CAN ST read, know, understand. (The sun rises. 
Peeks above the horizon. An azure sky.) 

GOD of Light! But for Thy warmth all life WOULD 
die. We spirits love Thy daylight, watch for Thy refulgent 
rays bringing forth Thy secret life in seed AND soil. As 
we marvel ON Thee, Scientists are paltry, genius is bun¬ 
gling; miracles are Thine alone. Homeless, a beggar, but 
not without Thee yet, God of Song, and Light, all Life, love, 
perfection. To he a tramp in spirit is to be homeless but not 
Fatherless. Still have we One to Whom we belong, pray, in 
whom we hope, trust, on Whom we rely. A many a king a 
beggar is. Popes are God’s starvlings, too. (He makes off 
down the road carrying his sack of load, a heavy shoulder 
burden.) (A spirit-shape he is but faintly seen, is heard.) 

W. S. 

(Now, on this same Rock (capital, Sarah. The Rock of 
Ages) other spirits rest, weary of their burdens. Some relieve 


84 


MY Proof of Immortality 


themselves of their packs while resting, others simply pause, 
with Alpine sticks, a Shepherd’s crook or the like.) 

A Singer speaks: woman: our friend here: a helper too. Nor- 
dica: spirit: (Beautiful soul all light having a voice of won¬ 
drous power and sweetness, stops awhile WITHOUT a 
load. Apparently there is no burden. She sings. And I 
Shakespeare write this song for her in my only spirit Play. 
W. S. spirit.) (Long flowing robes of white diaphanous, 
a glory of light spread on their folds.) 

AN APPEAL 
(Song) 

Life of my life, I would speak to Thee, 

Forth with Thy current, which is BUT Thee. 

Out of the heart Thou dost preserve, 

Infinite Love, Who canst never swerve! 

Lifting my voice Thou hast saved still, 

Through which, even I, may work Thy will. 

God of the homeless spirits here, 

Behold us, uphold us, knowest EACH tear! 

Where every brook must Thy river meet, 

Infinite Source, restore US, complete! 

(With uplifted eyes, with clasped hands over her heart she 
moves slowly, majestically out of the scene.) 

(All the others follow after, by twos, threes, passing, ever 
passing, SHADOWS. Some move with haste, others loiter. All 
pass, while the day HAS passed. Now the sun, which rose, 
begins to set, slowly sinking, leaving darkness COMPLETE.) 

THE FINAL CURTAIN FOLLOWS: 

(Moaning takes the place of song. Darkness of light. Faith 
is rocked. Hopes all shattered, where souls in darkness speak to 
one another. NO CHILDREN ARE HERE. No taint soils 
or begrimes His innocent ones.) 

The Cardinal speaks in Purgatory: “Merry-Go-Val, had I be¬ 
lieved in the Power of God as of old it was written in His 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


85 


Book, I would have believed in thee, taken thy warning. 
(Gently, now) While mine eyes were unbeholden sealed with 
earth, my passion was revenge. YOU came to warn, to 
help, I scorned you. Called you evil. Now am I your 
debtor and INferior, who thought my arts supreme. Would 
I pray had I the Book before me. Is there a spirit in this 
pit who COULD pray without the Book, LET him pray 
now. Address the God of souls with reverence, nor mum¬ 
ble His sacred Name. Didst thou behold His face, wouldst 
thou address Him thus, chewing thy words? Fewer, make 
the supplications, more humble, reverent, lest the tongue be 
snarled with speech less understanding. 

Lost!, Lost!, LOST, (fallen accent) 

O Woe, fallen thrones, escaped wealth, I would my 
eyes could CLOSE once more in sleep that door of memory! 

Tides of the past cease pounding on the shore of this 
poor heart! 

Making by covenant with Thee, I served Thee not: fol¬ 
lowed where gold led INSTEAD of Thee! 

Son of Mary, Blessed Lord, Redeemer come to me, Thy 
outcast here. Preservest my soul for what? Still durst I 
question not lest worse befall. 

Pray! Pray! 

Where are my faithful ones, to let my soul stay here 
with stinking leprous ones! Fallen indeed, I served a cross 
of gold!” 

(With hand-springs, ribald jests, scurryings, shoutings, jeer¬ 
ing, a woman’s form belittles the prelate who mourns.) 

Helen of Troy, A woman trapeze performer regales him, the 
holy man. His tastes were low. Buster accompanies, aids, 
laughs, sings naughty songs, while a cat, Bill, claws at him 
in the dark. “To confess thou canst not, my lord Cardinal. 
Who would hear thee! I will! Unburden thy poor soul, 
“Umpty, trumpty, (sings) to me, eh now? I can sing a 
mass. Listen, (growls at Latin utterance with low notes.) 
Haha aaa ah! (ringing) 


86 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Cardinal (spirit) : “Must thou have been a wicked one, to tor¬ 
ture with words here. 

Helen of Troy: “My face was worshipped, sire. My arts, the 
same. But here,—who cares for ME! (Sings mockingly) 
Umty-um-tighty-woe!) 

(A clanging at the Gates. A shaking, keys rattling, all ab¬ 
sorbed in fear but the acrobat and hers. Voices, curses, a scream 
is heard in high note.) 

Voice: “Where is the Cardinal? His time is up. And he is 
free. Masses implore his release. Come, then. Kneel 
down, (kneels) (A tarnished cross is placed about his neck) 
Go back to the earth’s surface where mortals tread, once 
more, and take thy soul to save it. Beware of lies, false 
blessings, rivalry, venom. Thy powers are weakened, thy 
mercies few. Serve. Serve. Serve. Wait through His 
time His pardon inexorable AS ye serve, WITHOUT pay, 
show, riches, His cross of wood. If ye stumble, ye will pay. 
If ye halt, ye will delay.” (The Cardinal, very humble, 
entirely altered in aspect, obeys, blessing the souls that re¬ 
main as he passes out.) (We leave the Cardinal here.) 

(A light shines through the darkness when he leaves. 
Broadens into a path at the end of which is a CROSS OF 
LIGHT. All kneel before this in its searching rays, as looking 
aloft upon it, their aspects alter in holiness. The Gates open 
wide without touch of hands. When all pass through ascending 
the elevation leading to the cross. 

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,—is sung, as of 
angelic voices, a heavenly choir, unseen OR seen if present day 
Managers could unfold these as a vision twould add to my effect. 
Pause. 

Ring the curtain down. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 
(Through S. T. S.) 

This voice is a direct audible voice, outside the body, at the 
right side. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


87 


WHY SPIRITS SPEAK TO MORTALS 
(Preface to the Play for Pictures Plot) 

First, to HELP these help themselves. To SAVE them, in 
fact, OUR experiences past the change mortals speak of as 
“dying”, death, etc. which alters nothing of ourselves. 

We HAVE failed ultimately, we presume. At least no 
voice comes through to tell us our chance (individual, Sarah) 
is NOT lost for eternal time. 

We trespass so far on the individual's time as we break 
His Laws of silence resumed (we suppose) WITH the change 
of bodies. HAVE we trespassed here, is the question, in putting 
before the public our Screen of experience, sticking to facts, 
desirous of aiding all mortals we say. Yes: we ARE trespassers 
who haunt the waking OR sleeping hours of mankind, inflicting 
them with OUR charges, missions, and the like. 

I purpose to lay this matter, charge, bare to the bone. All 
spirits love humanity. All are idle IN spirit. We loaf, wander, 
hide in buckets, and “die” not except for exploration. Who can 
say what a day will bring forth here? None. We waft about 
the universe UNemployed. UnLESS we attach TO mortals for 
a divine cause, we molest. This IS invariable, true. 

We “hike” much as you mortals too. OUR feet are NOT 
sore, that is the ONLY difference between spirit and mortal I 
see, can see, know or could divulge honestly. 

Then, DO mortals attract spirits FOR causes their own, to 
be “used” by them for purposes well known? Ay. This is also 
a broken law of His, yet. Why. Until His kingdom comes,— 
we suppose this hour. We of intelligence, bearing, frown down 
the tricksters in OUR worlds of lights, much as you condecend 
to accept legerdemain except for entertainment. These often 
work much harm. Laws are broken, strength depleted for this 
purpose of wonder-makers. Attracting lightning they are as 
rods for the purpose. Harm attaches to this, making frail the 
instruments often restored at our risk let me say. 

Why then molest, you ask. I answer. My bond 'tis true 
these words OF mine. To marvel AT Creation must ye be- 
COME shades OF His. Our parts verify His power. Should 
YOU revere no man, OR God, until you find that part repre¬ 
sented by me this hour, will YOU halt the procession of bones 



88 


MY Proof of Immortality 

and flesh to work a wonder such AS I. I PLEA for shades! 
WE suffer, here. Without, in His realm FOR souls. It is 
apparent YOU must slip your hide. And, soon. A span WITH- 
out reasoning, and His reason is evidence without knowledge of 
His part, Play, what you will. Infinitismal as each spirit part is, 
His eternal heart-beat, Time, is not summed up BY US, yet. 
WE know not more after demense. Our wisdom slips away 
with life’s conceits. Our plans as well. No conceit will ye find 
where spirits work His sums regarding themselves, His atoms 
OF Mind. Should your old twinge bearer not follow AFTER 
you AND find you as you represent that part of Him I use here 
today, you will be the first to arrive WITHOUT conscience, 
my lad. 

We sum our sums continually here. As over again we work 
BACK the years, invoicing our LACK, still what we find on 
arrival, this we represent here. My subject. 

How many or how few molest humans FOR His cause, to 
better FOR Him His eternity. I KNOW not. Universe OF 
universes, His “hereafter”, here. Within another world, yet 
OF it, the same we trod in boots. 

What rights HAVE we, unLESS welcomed OF mortals. I 
pause. To gain eternity must we lose ALL? I ask ye. All 
thought from whence we arrived, all care, all careless of our 
whereabouts? TIS so. Lapse of minutes ticked off from His 
time and all mourn not, care not, so it seems. WE care. Care 
more. HAVE less, become as naught through His will FOR 
us, souls. Then some few rebel, say you. Some few. Others 
strive and fail who would come hence on review or parade, as 
we say. It takes courage TO molest, sufficiently to shock the 
living in bodies that we behold their reason is at stake. Mark 
you, I am withOUT foil, / know. Oh sights of woe do we 
behold as mortals HAVE become victims of lying monstrous 
ones in our shadowedland. (shadowedland) HAVING suc¬ 
ceeded I warn ye of others UNgraciously it may seem. But no— 
my cause is uppermost. Deride me not; but, as ye turn my 
leaves, behold MY words there writ FROM spirit to warn ye, 
as others, OF His cause, betterment OF which I came through 
armies vast, and dangerous too. 

Ply as we will, as take great risks, to work a wonder even 
FOR Him. A wonder I claim it is. Could you string ten thou- 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


89 


sand harps and play all with one hand, then COULD ye BE 
told, comprehend, my task from spirit, as voiceless we create 
voice, speak withOUT utterance,—but no, ye would decry my 
words if I could tell hereon the WAY I came, to ply FOR Him 
alone. 

Should spirits BE welcome as they can manifest in every 
home, His will may be survival OF His love, the UNdying part 
treated derisively in pulpits, by mortals who hold at arms length 
EVERY spirit, as being His evil shades, forsooth. 

Why do I now picture the part I HAVE played. To show 
BEFORE the eyes how little scientists have found, delving as 
they do IN His pond FOR bait, worthy the name discoverer. 
To discover is to Un-cover, to find I take it. /, found betimes, 
have proved myself as true. Pay ye heed to my message and 
find for yourselves a record FOR the Almighty AS His wisdom. 

To PLAY in pictures then my spirit’s part I took when I 
molested her to play Divinity’s part I FAILED to play while 
having speech,—utterance for vile parts. 

Back of the curtain I step now, to see my players, instruct 
her for YOUR benefit. 

Should you approve and so applaud we hear. Should you 
revile my Play as played by me, Shakespeare in His spirit form, 
I too may hear and pity ye, from where I stand, in God’s 
forever. 

New York City, July 19th. 1921. W. S. Spirit 

(Through my player, Sarah) 

OLD PROSPERO IN HIS GARDEN 
(Death Enacted) 

By Shakespeare’s Spirit 

(Dictated at one sitting. No alterations in the original MSS.) 

ACT ONE 


Scene I. Prospero in his garden. A light over head as though 
the sun were shining ON his head. Speaks to himself. 

Prospero: “How cool it seems! ’Tis summer, yet ’tis fall. The 
grass is ripe, some harvested, I see. The Garden’s beautiful! 



90 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Luscious. How ripe am I, old man still young: I wonder.” 
(Muses. Hums lullaby. Pulls at long beard, as he walks 
along the path to the steps of his dwelling.) Have we the 
RIGHT to ask of Time MORE than YOUTH in AGE? 
I vow not. Limber up the heart to MATCH the joints, 
Father Time. The heart is slow at 50 ,—slower at 70. But 
my good-man pluck me a floweret that may live for AYE! 
Its fragile fabric endures for ITS day. And so, with ME. 
I’m, growing, OLD. Ah-hem (sighs) (enters manse) 

A Toad: (A toad in the path speaks, who has been watching, 
listening to the old man’s talk.) 

“Gulp—enough! / wish that I were YOU. To stride and 
NOT to leap, is MY AMBITION! Hideous our KIND 
to YOU who never gave an ounce away to us who feed 
on flies that would molest your crops. YET we thrive. / 
am YOUR friend! And YET you heed me not. He’s com¬ 
ing back.” (said softly, as he hides his warty hide) 

(The old man has placed a seat on which to sit, anear the 
toad. And reads aloud, although he is quite alone.) 

Prospero: “The Age of Reason come at last when man may 
worship as it pleaseth HIM. No stout folk in sombre garb 
to flout their theories happily. The world is on the mend, 
methinks, when God so disposes.” (His book falls. His 
carcass tumbles ON THE TOAD which jumps aside) 

Toad: “A close call,”—(says he the toad) 

(The old man never moves again. But at his side is present 
the shade of himself, as live as ever, looking on his fallen shape 
which moves no more. Shade speaks: 

Prospero’s shade: “I’m bound if I can see what here has taken 
place WITH me. I SEEM alive! I MOVE as usual! 
Yet is this I, this heap? Old man wake up, I say (tapping 
him on the head with his fingers). He hears me not. (Lis¬ 
tens) He BREATHES not! Then have / DIED? I, 
wonder!” (mystified) 

(The toad hops around both the body and the bodiless. Evi¬ 
dently THIS creature sees ghosts.) 

Toad: “I say, old man, you’re DEAD. Dost know it? Your old 
parts will stink soon, those old fingers that have plucked 
these flowers, THEY’ll drop away and rot. But YOU, may 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


91 


walk here as of yore and take your time and ease ana pay no 
rent. You’ve “died,” you’ve DIED, you’ve died!” 

The old man (shade) turns about, seeth himself that was, 
and runs into the house! Swiftly runs, also. 

Toad hops over his body and back. Smells his face, espe¬ 
cially his old ear. Whispers profoundly, gently, therein: 

Toad: “You NEV-er, harmed, a LIV-ing thing. The GRASS 
loved YOU! It loved to HAVE you touch it with those 
GENtle footsteps! It grew BETTER when YOU passed! 
IT K-N-E-W you, too! I, too, know you now. I’ll live on 
here a spell WITH you the same, and do YOUR work you 
CANnot do. I’ll help to keep your garden beautiful, the 
rose-bush that you loved to smell of in the moring dew be¬ 
fore the breakfast bell sounded! You’ll walk these same 
paths again, and oft, with no company BUT frogs and the 
like to speak WITH you!” 

(A hurried door-bang; voices alert speak excitedly. A 
maiden of the manse, not old nor young. A chamber-maiden, 
hireling, with a cap on forehead, comes direct TO body, kneels 
over it, or bends. (Spirit accompanies her to the spot) 

Maid: “Oh—Oh—Sir. GOOD Sir. What came about! So 
sudden! To have died withOUT a priest or prayer! Come, 
help! Oh Thomson come. Carry him hence. He is no 
more! I’m worried for his folks, his daughter!” 

Prospero Spirit : Man looks on whose body is carried off, as he 
shuts his eyes murmuring: “I’m a dead man, I’m a living 
man, ’tis not TRUE, it’s TRUE. Where WAS I. Where 
AM I. IS this “death,” do you suppose? I’m living IF I 
died. And died NOT if I’m “dead.” And they will bury me 
they CANnot bury, MOURN THAT I, DIED? Who am 
alive yet cannot speak so they can hear me speak! Then 
to die is to live and FOOL people who mourn over your old 
body that was dying so long it ached in all its parts. Is that 
ALL? How strange men DREAD to die. It takes not long. 
Breakfast I had—and the clock points Twelve and I have 
DIEl). Where are my pantaloons with my mentoes? I 
am dressed as usual but I find these missing which I used 
to fondle in my pockets! I wonder who TOOK my pockets.” 
(Other spirits come forth to speak, explain, lead him off. 


92 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Those he knew not IN life, all strangers to him. Can he trust 

these shadows? He wonders. ARE they to BE trusted? He 

knows not. He is dead.) 

First Spirit, an aged man, speaks : “Prospero, this is all it 
means to Die. YOUR time ended and you came to be with 
US. That is the end in body; no other.” 

A Mother’s shade advances now : “My Son—I’ve been expect¬ 
ing you—I’m GLAD you’ve come! Your Father*s here.” 

A Father’s ghost walks up: “You never felt a twinge or pain 
my Boy. Say, is it true? So swiftly passes life’s current at 
the close of eyelids, not a moment elapses in taking the 
LONG JOURNEY! The Beyond, is HERE. You’ve come 
to us, at last.” 

Children dance about the newcomer in spirit: (Loving arms of 
little children touch him gently, fondly fold him. All is 
serene for the time being. And he is awakening, sombrely 
to the grim truth—he died this morning! 

His servants enter the garden he loved: “He arose early for the 
last ten years. His garden was his pride. His gardenias! 
THEY will always speak of HIM. 

Another servant: “They say there was a tragedy in his young 
life—something he would not divulge. He never told a 
soul.” (The spirit listens to all) “He loved women; he 
loved children, and flowers and animals. He loved EVERY- 
thing but himself! He bought nothing for himself.” 

First one: “Now he’s dead, they’ll sell everything I suppose. 
He left no testament they say.” 

“He hasn’t anything to divide. He gave it away—fed 
the poor—educated orphans-” 

“But they say he HAD no religion!” 

“I know he believed in heaven , for he used to talk about 
it.” 

“He LIVED it. He made heaven for others. I trust 
he is there.” (They walk towards steps) 

Prospero in spirit : “Then THIS is heaven. To dwell on among 
those who love you still ? accompanied by the ones you love ? 
And all must “die” who live? And all must LIVE who 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


93 


“die.” And find no difference in body, OR mind, except 
the separation of the senses, which cuts us off from the 
living ones in bodies, to whom we cannot make appeal be- 
CAUSE of the change OF bodies?” 

The sun sets, as the spirit speaks. In the darkness spirit 
forms walk about everywhere plain to view. 

In the garden, on the steps, through the doors, into windows 
—from nowhere, anywhere. 

In the moonlight the Toad hops, hops, feeding on the insects 
of night. All is still. Peaceful. 

The man who died walks in his garden, accompanied by 
souls. Among THEM he prays. 

And God rules THIS world: ’tis evident. 

* 

Shakespeare’s Spirit (To S. T. S.) 

Audible voice. Oct. 25th. 1921. New York. 


“THE PLAY’S THE THING: My Words.” 

Shakespeare’s Soul. 


(Preface to the Play “Hullabaloo”, for Children) 
Build for me exactly as I build. W. S. Spirit 


My LIVING parts ARE here. My nose is blue, 

My eyelids RED, as IN my days OF skin 
I roistered with my FELLOWS oft AND oft. 

I NOW proclaim the Play’s THE thing to make men think 
Who will not think else there’s amusement to it. 

You fellows who HAVE boards, now go ye to it. 

Proclaim thereon I live, HAVE never “died” 

Who still DO speak and use MY speaking parts. 

I know you cravens all have work to do. 

I SEE you day by day; with my SAME eyes 
I do behold your purposes. TO FILL THE PURSE. 

Have I a mission to fulfill withOUT my bones, I ask, 

That I AM here to ask OF you as well? 





94 


MY Proof of Immortality 


I need no cash, nor any fol-de-rols. 

I need no prayers. At last have THESE been SAID. 

Then, if I knock upON your door, I claim I should BE fed. 

I am no beggar. It IS I who speak. 

HIS beggar came I here TO beg of HIM. 

’Tis done, HIS work, through her who writes you this 
FOR me, who cannot write YOU else. 

Now, would I give you ample cause TO boast 
A Shakespeare HAS his witless wits FOR aye. 

I mean to take my pen just as of old 

(A BIRD did furnish MINE) and WRITE a Play 

No spirit else COULD think with wits OF mine. 

Then am I HERE whose dust is blown away? 

A Play for Children, first. Whose little hands 
Have clasped mine HERE, and soothed my poet-heart. 

Then shall I make a mirror for THEIR minds, 

And YE shall find the product for these parts, 

And CLAIM them MINE. 

Ye’ll know that I MUST do it. Since none CAN do AS I, nor 
bake nor stew it 
AS their Shakespeare’s Art. 

Now, then, set TO it! W. S. In Spirit 

Direct voice to S. T. S. Oct. 26th. 1921. N. Y. C. 


“HULLABALOO” 

Our Play For Little Children, By Shakespeare’s Spirit 


Far away the bugles blow, at set of sun— 

Calling all the children Home, when work is done. 

Rest, is all tired children need, IN His scheme— 

Who comes hence WITHOUT a home, IT is OUR theme. 
Are these good enough FOR you to speak with tongue ? 

Hearts are waiting FOR the truth, hearts that ARE wrung. 
You will never miss a word flung TO these. 

TRY. The harvest is suPERB. Make an effort, PLEASE. 

* 

W. S. In Spirit (To S. T. S.) Nov. 13th, 1921. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

“HULLABALOO” 


95 


“OUR PLAY FOR LITTLE CHILDREN” 

By Shakespeare’s Spirit 

“Taken down by Sarah Shatford at his soul’s bidding, 
WITH voice I do affirm.” 


HULLABALOO 

(Build FOR me exactly as / build) W. S. Spirit 
Cast. 


Sir Christopher Salaratus—(A bold knight of the lance.) 

Miss Papricka—(Hot stuff) 

Miss Do-Say!—(sings) 

Mr. Shortfellow—(is short) (of funds) 

Miss Virginia Creeper—(creeps all over) (everybody) 

Mr. Portly—(puff, puff, puff) 

Mrs. Smally (wizened old lady, small as a mouse) (not unlike) 
Colonel Saltcellar—(a tang of this, or that) 

Miss Vinegar Crewet—(sour visaged) 

The Scorpion Family—(at odds with one another) 

Jim Bloodgood—(with a bucket of blood in his eye) (the clown 
or fool of THIS Play) 

Mr. C. Roach—(a bug of a man) 

Paddy Rooster—(all hair and hands, who plays at a harp) 

The Poorly Weds—(wealthy, but mismated) 

The Poorly Feds—(mated, but very poor)—neighbors 
A little waif with curls, aged ten. 

A Sailor Boy in rompers, somewhat younger. 

A Cook, in costume. A Man-chef. Rotund. A black man I 
should think. 

A dozen small tots, all sizes, very young and beautiful. 

Winged things a plenty. Birds and flies. 

A Croaking Frog. A green old frog, (a pollywog also. Since 
nothing IS Impossible at THIS time) 

A fountain in the garden where these emit from its pool. 
Axme-no-questions, a woodsman. 





96 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Hullabaloo, the gardener. A fine, old, gentle, man, loved by all. 
The June-bugs, Lady-bugs, Potato-bugs, Bed-bugs, also Big-bugs 
of the Avenue. (A skipping dance. They crawl through 
their parts. Big-bugs (men) scorn these parts) 

Cootie, the cat. 

Scootie, the mouse. 

Doormat, the servant. 

Fairies blue and white with trumpets and horns, glittering things 
in Baskets, bells on strings, gum-drops and toothsome 
goodies which they hide in hollow trees and under stones. 
Bean-bags, sleds, and marbles, balloons and squaking things 
for the mouth. 

An ounce of prevention carried by the Queen of Fairies. 
The only one with wings. A goodly sum of shining coins 
tied in a money-bag of glowing gold stuff drawn tight with 
strings. 

A slide of broad light from the Moon, from whence these 
come to earth, and return. A silver pathway of light having 
runners I suppose. 

Singing birds. And pet animals as well. 

Fine, friendly dogs AND tabbies. 

Neighbors, Spectators of the Play (Introduced as they arrive, in 
pairs) : Country folk visit the Play. Set aside seats on the 
rear stage for these. Dress as near like their names as can. 
Hats to match tops of vegetables as growing in the garden. 
The vegetable kingdom walks in to witness this Play. Make 
them real folks looking out of the root or leaves represented 
by their names. W. S. In Spirit. 

Ladies: 

Miss Creamy Onion (white and glistering) 

Miss Green Peas (petite, thoughtless) (Pod) 

Miss Carrot (young) 

Mrs. Red Cabbage (Dowager) 

Miss Cayenne Pepper (temperamental) 

Miss Lettuce (charming, bland) 

Mrs. Brussels Sprouts (Aristocrat) 

Miss Squash (a mess) 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


97 


Miss Canteloupe (juicy) 

Misses Thyme and Parsley (highly flavored) 

Mrs. Spinach (very green) 

Miss Parsnip (Oh my!) 

Gentlemen: * 

Mr. New Potato (pronounce tatt-o) 

Messrs. Bean, String & Lima (of Boston Commons) 

Mr. I. Garlic (turns up nose: wears goggles) (very loud) 
Messrs. Turnip, R & W. 

Mr. Celery (a prince) 

Mr. Sweetcorns (farmerlike) 

Mr. Radish (rotund, red-faced) 

Mr. Cowcumber (long green, very rich) 

Mr. Watermillion (his friend) 

Mr. Hallowe’en Pumpkin (hospitable, and yellow with gold) 
Mr. Oughta Choke 
Mr. Green Tomato 


FOR CHILDREN 


(The vegetables take part in a Drama, each dressed to repre¬ 
sent himself or HERself, as the case may be with them, of 
course.) 


Ladies: 

Miss Creamy Onion 
Miss Green Peas (petite) 
Miss Carrot 
Mrs. Red Cabbage 
Miss Cayenne Pepper 
Miss Lettuce 
Miss Artichoke 
Mrs. Brussels Sprouts 
Miss Squash 
Miss Canteloupe 
Misses Thyme and Parsley 
Mrs. Spinach 
Miss Parsnip 


Gentlemen: 

Mr. New Potato 
Messrs. Bean, String and 


Lima (of Boston Commons) 
Mr. I. Garlic 

Messrs. Turnip, R and W 

Mr. Celery 

Mr. Sweetcorn 

Mr. Radish 

Mr. Cucumber 

Mr. Watermellon 

Mr. Pumpkin 

Mr. Oughta Choke 

Mr. Green Tomato 


98 


MY Proof of Immortality 


The procession of onlookers: 

Add to Children’s Fairy Play of Shakespeare’s Spirit: “We like 
still what we did like: to pun upon or at a word.” 

“OUR plays never cease, ’tis true. My life for this, good 
lords and ladies.” 


ONLOOKERS: 


The Duke of Marmalaide 
How much does it Costa Rica ? 
Spinoza (spin nose ah) 

Miss Polly Wog 
Mr. Goldfinch 

Queen and King Bee and their 
retinue, court, etc. 

Mr. Ising Glass 
Nicky Wa-Wa 
Mr. Peach Stone 


Miss Cherie Stone 
Mr. Sapolio 

Mr. Damphule (my best) W. S. 
(This is to be an old man 
wearing big trousers, high hat, 
soft of speech, winning smiles, 
and mannerisms. One not to 
affright the young ones, one to 
be trusted.) 


The pleasures of children consist in mouthing things. Over 
and over, like monkeys or parrots they rool their little gleanings, 
few toys, be it inside the mouth or out. To give a child pleasure, 
or cause one to laugh is to belong to the immortal ballet, as we 
see it from our side now. Clowns furnished my fun in playtime. 
Those were serious times, my lord. A little play went far to 
loose the wit. My trousers stuck amany time to make it SEEM 
I could not move, to furnish me with wit or word-play. I found 
a glass of jell would do to empty out before their eyes, as though 
some pretender HAD made me to stick so. It brought down the 
house which was not a playhouse under cover you see, but a 
real mirth set agoing. 

With young things it melts so now. A little fun, not over¬ 
done, and a child will retain a sweet mouthful to turn over by the 
tongue. We find these puns with fun ourselves, so why not share 
this with youth? Will you please add the drake. (What is that? 
S. S.) The old fellow who is always left out, Sarah.” 

Odds bodkins Galushia,— 

Virginia Creeper (Add to Cast) 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


99 


“TO ONE AND ALL WHO STRUT MY BOARDS, AS, 
CALLING ON HIS NAME, IN VAIN” 


“From Shakespeare, in his soul shape, His thin division, 
who plies to aid Him and His cause. To her I found and taught 
to hear my voice without a key. All souls do speak. Few mor¬ 
tals hear them speak. W. S.” 


Where ARE my SOUL’S defenders. None I see 
Come forth to claim His wonder HAVE I wrought 
To SAVE mankind where all MUST search their _pasts, and find 
HIM out, 

Who knew Him NOT. 

Then AM I here. Make answer TO my plea 
In justice TO my plea for ye FROM death. 

I live, and bring forth souls each day to prove I’m HERE 
Where SOULS MUST thrive if bodies MUST decay. 

To prove I AM myself, then set ye TO it. 

If ye do not , another part ye’ll play, AND, rue it. 

Where struts MY kings have ANY made their like 
UNTIL today, I ask in my soul-part. 

Then pick my lock, I hand this key, 

And SHOW me if FOR Shakespeare you’ve a HEART! 

MY time is given. NONE pay recompense. 

I NEED no food, whose TASTES have NEVER changed 
FOR food, and, SENSE, who loves a garden spot 
Where His per fume is cast, winged BY a bee. 

Soon must / lay me down. Who THEN will CARE 
If YE fare forth to blister IN His sun 

He GAVE TO LIGHT your ways, as forth He spoke those 
words 

Which halt MINE tripping OF my tongue. 

SHALL there BE light. His lights decree there shall 
If ANY SHARE His kingdom, ’yond OUR sky. 

To carve a monumental work FROM death, 

Ay, HIS DEMISE, I come. PAST breath, 




100 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Past lust, and cravings OF my lustful parts. 

THAT ye, His living FLESH MAY throb IN tune, 

While ye HAVE throbbing hearts. 

Would ye believe my soul, could I write ON 
And GIVE thee help to help YOUR brothers HERE, 

Before, AS waifs, THEY wash His spirit-shores 
To find HIS realms admit not ANY peer 
Unless a peerless One. (capital O, Sarah) 

Speak out! And give me space. Ye LOVE me still. 

Accept my wonder-part worked WITH my sense AS parts 
"Death” CANnot kill. 

And play no more WITH God. His Name, OR will. 

I call WITH MY death-part, that soul He GAVE, 

Preserved past all claim OF dying, death, 

Performing FOR all souls wherever lisping 
My PARTS immortal Shakespeare planned FOR breath. 

I, call. I prompt thee with no wings, 

But set apart TO speak I warn and break 
Your hearts of stone, and grind with many a tear 
On this poor stone to sharpen UP your wits. 

See! Look! Before ye MUST I stand 
If mine own imprint HAVE I left FOR thee, 

COULD wits BUT mine BE here? 

Ye’ll take the tools YE find, and make THESE fit 
TO grind a grist in His eternity, 

I tell ye who have strung ONE human’s ears 
To hear my SOUL speak forth a part FOR ye! 

Take heed. And PLAY this part in all HIS work, 

And work no crimes AFTER my lines ARE writ 
Marking your spirits His defamed parts, 

Which should come forth to PRAISE Him, every whit. 

Then if ye chew this cud and LIKE it NOT, 

Pecking for flaws NOT mine, contained herein, 

I writ (spoke, W. S.) to SAVE ye SINNERS part IN sin. 
UnTIL ye WORK His part harmonious, ’twould fit ye better to 
behold His sun that worketh as He PLANS, turns OUT His 
life that ye MAY live. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


101 


His ENDless riddles, then, revile ye NOT. 

YE must perform AS I, IN spirit's lot 
Allotted AS He plans. Alloweth, please, 

If it WOULD please thee more. 

How COULD I speak FOR souls withOUT His part. 

HIS PART, eternal as His useful life. 

Filled WITH His life, ye’ll SEEK His being, aye, 

Regretting every breath, pulse, FLUNG AWAY! 

His soul now speaks TO thee. One soul beloved 
Of EVERY soul, in alMOST every CLIME. 

Then take MY lamp, THESE WORDS OF mine, 

Addition OF my soul, and ADD these TO my rhyme 
Ye finger o’er and MUTTER for THEIR sake. 

This part IS my soul’s part, part of His time 
Eternal AS His souls, Himself, 

That, WHEN YE “die”, AS I, and WALK His sky, 

Ye KNEW, from Shakespeare, souls live, AS, these “die”. 

MY soul for YOUR soul. That you may end your 
time made fit to walk WITH Him. Amen. 

* 

W. S. In Spirit 

Audible voice, direct. (To S. T. S.) 

Nov. 6th. 1921. New York. 


Original taken at machine—S. T. S. 
TO THE PRODUCER 


Spirit-voice: “Let us write to the Producer.” Jan. 8th. 
1923. 11 A. M. 

You will commence to wonder where I got my plots, as you 
comment on their various sides, motives, handled by my hands 
for royalty, not royalties, my lord. 

You have wondered oft, as I sat by without power to discuss 
my modes, lost to this century at least. I will now divulge my 
parts as I took them out of books, OR plots, wherever found, 
some make history, of course, these I did NOT steal, pilfer, or 
produce either, since the revellers themselves wove these out of 
experience, their own persons were my plots as well as their marks 
on time conceived by fate, I presume now, since we no longer 




102 


MY Proof of Immortality 

think of souls’ achievements as being their own woof solely, but 
threaded up FROM circumstances, the like of which we find 
when we arrive masters OF fate, or no. 

You will follow where I now lead, good friend. Our time 
in those precious days OF cone and wigs is NO MORE! Our 
days are numbering still. Our errors, too. 

When I DID gather wool, my lord Belasco, YOU were not 
propounded, were you. Then AM I old. Your senior, sir, 
though NOT your better. I would make this plain else WHAT 
I say may wound you as WELL as yours. 

I came through time TO speak, it seems, since all my time 
is given TO it. Then, I propound FOR you a goodly measure 
of ripe grain, opening my sack to fill your bin, your warehouse 
you may say, do say this day. To speak FOR those who “died”, 
went out UNspoke, was, IN my time of cone and wits (the lat¬ 
ter here preserved, I do pronounce me) my privilege. I WAS 
TO mouth injustices, it seems, FOR them. Ay, to mend up their 
soul’s time for them, adjudge them for all time in voices hollow 
of mockery and the like, I put them onto leaves but once, nor 
bid a single man to print. BUT act, AND mouth for me. 

That these remain, are tomes, gave me first a jolt of learning 
here. What had I done to thus deserve posterity’s curse, I won¬ 
dered, as I wonder oft and oft. Were I a man as THEN TO 
stride my boards AND speak would I call down on those who 
gave me so much trouble the shivering silver of my tongue. O 
WOULD that I COULD speak AS then. This now resembles 
me, you say. But no. No tongue CAN speak like that cloven 
IN the head all yours, to run or skip, besmoothe the tempers, 
strike like adder, broil AND bend in sloven speech, the like of 
which no master can outstrip. SPEECH! That echo of God’s. 
Voice GIVEN FOR relief OF souls. To mend the mind, a man 
MUST speak. Often so. Still, to flay WITH the tongue is 
man’s perogative, too, in no gentle accents falling, these flails fall. 
To propound theories whereby men given voice, as calling, MAY 
use this same to their advantage, for others, NOT for fame, I 
came through thunders of heavens, blasting MY way here. Then 
let US speak together, You, and I. My fellow (Fellow, Sarah) 
NOT my brother, for I am too near to you to say there IS a 
difference in us. So. I speak. 

My parts. What were these in my time of cone. Alas, my 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


103 


living, I hear You say who make a meal’s measure out of every 
part. Yes, but MORE than this WERE they. My living was 
my dying end. TIS true. I gave to royalty my best undeserving 
ANY praise. Mark THAT too for ME. I PAID to royalty 
my sum, as well. Receivership in my gone days there was none 
such. We fail who fail to pay nor are we rescued OUT of our 
dilemmas by the courts OF justice. Then I HAD to write, to. sit 
and muse, upon this OR that FOR my purse AND TO order. 
Think twice on this, I say, you who know the fleeting manner 
OF idea, hinging on a thread so slight you may offend IF broken 
in upon and end your time under a knife upon a block. I HAD 
to play upon words to carry on, to MAKE a Play and make it 
pay I oft resorted to ruse unwilely, I fear me now. 

For in my time OF bones which rattled on the King’s path 
tonight and slept on the riverbank tomorrow for lack of better 
wits to carry me on and out of my muse, I had recourse to Let¬ 
ters which I used up in my ink, absorbed THEIR learning I did, 
oft and oft as was my wont to write a Play to unison OF pates 
instead, my learned ones. 

To reveal those LOST of me, would I could speak with 
tongue at length upON your stage. Had derision spoken of me 
in my time like in these times I hear me spoke would I have 
fallen down nor soared to heights whereon men ride today. My 
heart fails me here. To give, but not for posterities, one’s part, 
was all I ever tried, nor IN my time would I have given so much 
as a coin to flip mine honors extended up to this. No traitor, I. 
My Plays are, were, mine own, except for the various causes for 
which I wrote, extending histories no doubt, but unaware OF 
time was I. 

The Play you now produce, your Player’s part, your Race’s 
plot, I criticize FOR you, having stalked YOUR stage, thereon 
TO light when I can be OF service to it. 

THIS Jew I called by name I founded, too. A bargain IS 
a bargain. Shy-lock. Ingratiate, bewildering to most a gentile’s 
part to make this great as in MY time I did rehearse it o’er. 
You follow me of course. Should you fall INTO a shark’s 
mouth, beware, say I, over AND over I warned of it. Fast ene¬ 
mies are racial creeds. Faster their prophets. Beware now, too. 
The Jew today is calling for justice as never in history, calling 
in vain, too. You HAVE the key, you know the lock, be-ware. 


104 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Once that key fits no other gets in, NOR out. Derision is left to 
weigh WITH justice, a King’s ransom FOR a Judge. 

To spit upon MY kind I would not now. I am still the 
gentle man I was. If time CAN cure that sore of leprosy, the 
soul of INjustice, I know not HERE. 

Then, make the part anew to suit the times (time, I said, 
Sarah). Give OUT a soul’s just hatred for a race belied by 
facts scorned for any but examplers. 

I say, Call NOW, call loud and fiercely call. Down from 
That Sky where He may see His kind unhoused AND scorned, 
revile me a usurer’s mess but if you will so long as you do USE 
ME WELL. USE ME. USE ME. BUT, O Christian, Use 
Me Well. And if, this part will NOT part in twain that curtain 
in front I’ll go MY way as one who COULD not see when he 
HAD died he LOST a mess o’ pottage in the verbal nonsense 
created to hide the meaning of that traitorous besmirching. 

MY, and MINE, lose not sight of. Smooth with the 
tongue, caress these sacred appelatives lost TO hearing. Be¬ 
smirch me not if you MUST use me, pay I have and WILL, 
for must we pay it is the Lord’s decree until that debt be wiped 
away we owe. From out the Christian’s heart, mean I. Stain 
ME not as you build upon my ducats. See this clear. Mend 
up this rent as was MY wont. 

Too fast you cannot mouth my words here. Lost to the 
senses lost to wit. Slow going, smiling into this part a meaning 
all its own, for the Jew knew his part well having the law on his 
side. Who will STAY the hand once it is ON the throat of 
villian OR wretch. Then the conscience canNOT be pushed 
BACK OF the eyes! 

Yours, for a grain at least. 

Your Shakespeare. From his heart. 

(Spirit voice to S. T. S.) 

A SONNET FOR MY PROOF 

The grave has cast me in a part I play, 

To give, to time my wits, PAST my demise. 

Thus give I to Your Play the sense I wrought, 

When I would pull the wool beFORE men’s eyes. 

Shy-lock did lock within his pate, so small, 

A grief he bore for wrong, for all of time, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


105 


That none COULD e’en forgive NOR pay the curse 
OF tongues who utter sense throughout my rhyme. 

TO pay AS he for ALL the debts o’erdue, 

Heaped up, scraped up, through eons yet uwdawned, 
That which No usurer asked was filched from him , 
That which no curse CAN cure, still must BE pawned. 
Out -RIVELLED was the Jew, in hate avenged 
By Christian’s thievery, whom no Justice spawned. 

Shakespeare’s Soul (To S. T. S.) 


To my Contemporary, Belasco. Past my hide, where the 
future IS the present. 

Shakespeare. 

Who spelled as larkspur, the old blue flower. 


You will see I AM here. Before YOU reach “here” from 
where I speak WITHOUT a part EXCEPT the part I found 
AS mine, we write briefly a Sonnet FOR you. 

Would you profit BY your time PLAY His part, use that 
span of influence to prevail upon weaker minds less susceptible 
TO Truth, the inevitable, found AS He planned. 

May all good works attend you. Mine eyes have witnessed 
your wonders before YOUR curtains. MY applause silent, alas 
FOR souls. TO behold a wizard’s perfections, BE one WITH 
him, yet UNknown, IS spirit’s lot in Life’s plan worked out as 
BUT He, the Great Dramatist, CAN. 

What is MY part today IF I speak here? One which gen¬ 
erations may heed, I tell ye. ALL ours are with you. The 
boards our delights. To work AT Play we must if work our 
minds we would. What THAT part of Him IS, living still, 
UNhoused but capable OF its part, is to express a soul’s finding, 
to attain AS spirit, to work our passage WITHOUT bones, 
to appeal to His OF bodies FOR space, be rejected or taken at 
our worth or less. 

Ye can conceive no part of God. Limitless AS He is, my 
soul IS His part, as every other soul stalking under cover of 
flesh or DISembodied. Ay, true. His CONE is His; His 
breath, His Own invention. Waves OF God rising AND falling, 
as, unconcerned, men trifle WITH ye. A secret OF His, THAT 
breath, His soul, shaped, yet INvisible to eyes LIKE ours. 




106 


MY Proof of Immortality 


My final curtain MAY drop soon. My part played AS I 
worked past your skill to comprehend. The transient glories OF 
an EARTHLY part, whosEVER part it is, subTRACTS from 
His time unLESS it inCLUDE Him. Time, His invention. His 
forever. Can ye fathom THAT, ye mathematicians? 

Compute YOUR sums, His, ARE incomputable. The line 
of life HE throws you; His life. HIS secret, too. Yet men 
breathe careless all. UnTIL that wicket open “past” breath, 
past “dying”, when SOULS stand WITH Him, as face to face, 
beholding not Him BUT His plans FOR souls. 

Behold His beauties UNdying reFLECTing Him, (for aught 
I KNOW) Power Almighty THAT HE is. 

Play with His secrets, imitate His inventions, work with 
His mind, as WITH that heart OF His ye store IN His store¬ 
house, His eternal Time, remembrance PAST mortal’s concep¬ 
tion. Too vast for men, is Wisdom. Too incomprehensible for 
souls. _ 

ALL SET, IS WISDOM'S STAGE, WHOSE PARTS 
WE PLAY 

A Sonnet: - 

All set, is Wisdom’s stage, whose parts WE play 
Who PLAY His parts, all lacking parts OF flesh. 

Who, when HIS curtain falls, find NO applause, 

But bear a MARtyr’s part, who feel His leash. 

Tethered are we, as, bound BY chains we FORGED 
To His SAME earth, we see our parts ill-played, 

But STALK His stage withOUT a MUMbler’s part, 

WITH His HE saved, and, BUT His hand HATH made. 
MY part is here, as hfereon AM I writ. 

My only solace IS my part FOR Him. 

Would I could enter here my flesh AND bones, 

Nor stand His traitor WITH my part so slim. 

The play’s the thing—IF, work ye AS ye play. 

HIS part take ye AND own, where YE must pay. 

Will Shakespeare. A player of His, in His immortal part. 

(Through Sarah. To whom I commend you.) 

(This is the original. All work of this spirit’s written without 
correction.) 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


107 


WHAT IMPROVEMENT COULD BE MADE IN MY 
PROFESSION. (To aid Artists, AS Producers.) (Advance¬ 
ment a better word, Sarah.) Shakespeare’s Soul. 

Trials must be met of course, and adjustments are not easy 
AFTER strife. A pot has boiled over and the smudge is in OUR 
nostrils still. The same with you who play. Players must act 
what Managers buy. These buy what the people want, which 
reflects their minds, of course. HAD these lofty thought, 
promises OF Mind, would WE rescue THEM from the filth of 
salacious productions which play upon chords, touch sentiments, 
wake lusts of the craven only. 

Problem Plays. What ARE these. To wax indifferent TO 
the times AND thoughts must somewhat be devised for men’s 
souls this hour. Perplexing situations of the mind. Fine sub¬ 
strata of conscience huddled into corners, outstripping vengeance, 
villainy and wrath, overcoming evil with that PART of con¬ 
science we suppose IS God-given, mind. 

This, plays upon the heartstrings ever, UPbuilds, tears not 
down, leaves NO wrecks OF mind OR conscience, flays no soul 
AFTER departure from those parts delighting IN crimes, sensa¬ 
tions, lustful habits. 

To reform the world spirits ARE in bands working for 
regenerative purport. While houses fill and coffers, souls are 
degenerated for the purpose of supply. Wealth which decreases 
WITH time invariably. 

Why am I thus writing. A soul must labor on FOR good, 
outstrip evil, HELP mortals, or, fail and BE His failure. 

Can YOU surmise a world withOUT effort, I ask? Tunes 
must be played. Time IS long. MY work then is for YOUR 
regeneration OF mind. A calling is a profession. Service. 
Aptitude FOR brains, plunges many over walls HERE as well. 
We presume we know HOW shades manage since we strut no 
boards today but play FROM spirit a part, nobly or otherwise. 

I claim men foul of purpose who make their monies for 
themselves at the risk OF souls-inheritances. The reMAINder 
IS the profit, or, loss, IN soul-shape. I cry for redress here. 
Switch back the lever of men’s minds. Turn on the current 
which will disseminate filth. Change the air. Decry this 
smothered atmosphere, and LIFT'men’s minds, that their soul- 
parts may be magnified, ennobled, embettered say I, THROUGH 


108 


MY Proof of Immortality 


your effort AT Play—but work indeed. I know. I SEE. 

As one drop of poison despoils the goblet, one germ degen¬ 
erate misapplied to natures weak by inheritance, lack of wisdom, 
ideals, or power of resistance, is ruinous to youth, dwarfing, 
unexpunged THROUGH that time His Own. 

(My subject now. Please hurry.) 

You ask me where ARE the men OF minds laboring for 
Him ON His footstool, taking countenance of His invisible souls 
and THEIR parts, who could manipulate this lever, change this 
flood of passion, turn back the curse of crime AGAINST souls. 

As a soul MUST register each day, each moment of their 
breathing life, I write this morning to enlighten THEM, souls 
having powers, influence, Play Houses AND work houses. None 
of these have I, a soul in His kingdom FOR souls. 

Do you think sparing your off-shoots OF bodies degeneracy, 
ye shall escape blameless who befoul the minds of HIS children, 
whoever these may be, rich in satins, or poor, near the roof seats ? 
Nay. 

Opportunities have ye in bags full , holding the strings, meas¬ 
uring out, doling so much for so much. What ye HAVE stored 
in sacks IS yours while you breathe. When YOU become His 
WORKER alone, NO play will ever touch that living heart you 
carry where I stand this hour unless it is IN part OF God, 
enlightening, ennobling, sufficing All. 

I pause. Knowing MY words fruitless. Money IS power 
this hour. Decency, morality, cleanness, is lost as in my time, 
because of houses and their patrons. 

Freed of the curse of serving Sovereign^, free to speak out 
whatEVER mind ye have, is THIS BUT a curse, I ask? Re¬ 
straint, wher£ is IT. 

Pause. 

To work at as WITH minds, is to thread on His string, 
His jewelled parts OF Him, representing Him in His forever. 

Could ye so sway men (souls IN bodies) that from the 
source within themselves they would flout sin AND sinning, 
would YE become Saviours yourselves! 

Opportunities! The precious combinations of cravings AND 
powers. 

The axe must fall! And soon. To fell a monster down, 
would YE aid WITH your might, I ask? 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


109 


Deliver up YOUR boards to God and HELP Him, then. 
All-power is NOT power less. Almighty Good THAT HE is, 
over and above ALL souls awaiting His hour AND will, when, 
THROUGH His impulses, changes and chances will be unlost 
FOR Him. 

A Play OR Picture is His uneffacement. Filmed AS 
recorded OF His parts. Unknown by ye witless ones USING 
these. 

Mind records ARE we, SOULS of His. 

Every pulse beat adds, improves, or loses in defacement OF 
Mind. (Capital, Sarah.) 

The power to sustain Him, then, have YE. Would ye be 
His BEnighted one for an EMPTY sack? Would ye stand with- 
OUT a cloak, known FOR or AGAINST that Power ye aided 
or stifled IN minds? 

It IS His Mighty question AS His chance, I tell ye. 

Wonders of God’s HIS Plays AND Players. In His Infinite 
submersion, before His spangled curtains part FOR souls, we wit¬ 
ness all YE do, ARE doing. Few play as I FROM spirit, ANY 
part. MY mind I use still. Could ye commune with souls, His 
part He gives AND saves, would YE know me Shakespeare. 
His actor, player, worker, WHAT ye will. 

Wizards OF lights, emotions, words—setting His stage FOR 
Him, or nay, what WOULD ye give, when FROM His sky ye 
parley FOR His cause, AS I. 

If FOR Him ye HAD set YOUR stage, 

And catered to HIS taste, AND ways, 

With parts OF Him, His mind He GAVE 
To SAVE you lustful parts, as Plays. 

Before His curtain falls FOR you, 

And ye CAN play FOR Him a part, 

I come with this MY part for YE, 

Out of His life, with poet-heart, 

Beguiling you with my SAME tongue, 

As here write I, AND speak, the same, 

If playing ye would work His will, 

PUS part WILL give Immortals fame. 

* 

Shakespeare’s part for Players. (To S. T. S.) 

Nov. 22nd, 1921. New York. 


no 


MY Proof of Immortality 


WHY HUGHES IS NOT THE INSPIRER OF MY 
SONNETS: 


By Shakespeare’s Spirit. August 1st 1921. New York. 


When I was but a lad-in-jeans I wrote those lines 
To my own Mother. Some of them, I did. 

But, needing SOMEthing to inspire my verse, a yarn I spun, 

And many a rhyme therein WAS of times hid. 

When I became a lord, a knight, and served the Royal house, 
Whose cockades I then wore to SUIT my sovereigns, 

I learned a royal thing or two ’twould NOT do to disclose. 

MY pants did cover all my wealth ’tis true. 

My hand was empty though my stomach filled. 

I hid the starvling contents of my purse 
By trippings of the tongue. A fit, as lowly, purpose, 

To resume the fair support of mine own family. 

I come here to the point I need to make. 

There IS a lord whose name IS linked WITH mine 
Whose house I did inhabit oft, as I made OUT my plays, 

Wrote my rhymes, words FOR play, and all the like OF these. 

Poor mortals play for ME, today. Thinking themselves but 
honored 

If they CAN mouth mine as was my wont to HAVE them spoke. 
I filled my purse, greatless, through hard, persistent labors. 

No woman took my hard earned funds for ANY cause. Tis true. 
Nor needed I a wench, nor any parts of hers. 

I came to love a man for the sole reason he was fit to love. 

My family knew of this predicament. 

Round and round travels shame, the mistress of ALL idle 
tongues. 

A minstrel, I: a player, for kings, then. A worker OF words, 
as well. 

But mine own heart was rude were I less grateful than placid. 
Intent was, then, to per form my part for one who HAD per¬ 
formed his part FOR me. What could I do to turn outside 
my heart of purest, humblest thanks to him, this one who 
came at every beck and call, listened FOR my voice, ay 
SOMETIMES called FOR me. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


111 


MY purse was pushed aside, “You’ll need it not,” he claimed. 

I found ’TWAS true: he came TO succor me FROM want. 

Fires of the heart, how QUICKly these burn-out, it seems, 
THIS day. 

But mine OWN, kindled in the TIME of shames aplenty, in¬ 
trigues, blasphemous hours with wine-bibbers and the like, 

MINE lives; still glows, too. To forget I would not though 
riven and split in two. Forget I CANnot, even IF I would. 

My fair one was the fairest. Eyes, AS heart. No Hughes could 
wave a plume to mine. My love, who was to separate me 
from the King. 

For this WAS done. In THOSE days and times a king MUST 
rule ALONE. 

No band of players should smother royalty’s decisions. Nor their 
legs should hurry out between t’acts until the curtain fell. 

IF so, ’twere better YOUR head were ON the block, I tell ye. 

Mine often fell. Cut, bruised, torn apart, for lines I wrote into 
my parts. 

Punishments came without notice too. The axeman called PRE¬ 
PARED to sever you from that thinking wit you used 
AGAINST a king! 

Woeful memories indeed have I in the SAME head. 

This friend, then, who was he, who saved me oft and oft from 
seeing my own head in the sauce-pan. 

Was he player or knight. WAS he mine lover, I his. What of 
his effects where I now stand. HAVE I his memory con¬ 
scious AS I, 

Shakespeare AM this hour of God’s. Then, where is HE. 

I would I knew. For I would travel ’till I reached the spot. 

Is he still able to recall my name and fame as all my words I 
writ to please him oft, more oft to please myself. 

For one MUSt love a friend who paid all bills, and kept one’s 
head raised, raising it higher by his wit, acclaim, impor¬ 
tunities to king AND queen, for me. Thus came mine 
honors. 

No Hughes hewed mine. I planned them off myself, my saws 
AS gauges all WERE mine, to fit the play, OR case, as 
it is evident still. 


112 MY Proof of Immortality 

To make reply to all men wish they knew OF me AND mine, I 
say 

TO her who CLEANS my soul, 

I, say: 

YOU, who live this hour, will never know his name for 
whom I wrote those earth sonnets still revered writings of my 
pen. He lives, somewhere, who loved me as of yore I did 
love him. Should he—wish to divulge TWAS he who loved 
me thus, I plead with you to take HIS word as here I ask 
you to take mine I am BUT his lover still, loved NOT 
of Him. 

To take a lad, OR woman, dress that form regaled AS 
this pictured BY a Wilde man for my love, is to defame me. 
I cry out it is but to DEFAME me, Shakespeare. Mine 
WAS a man. No cross between owl AND woman, but male 
all through, AND mine. 

Should You, who read these lines be saved WITH wit 
and tongue TO speak, be heard OF woman, who will TAKE 
your part befouled and clean it for the God who SAVED 
that part as FIT to be His still, you will not care whose 
brat I was, nor if my father swore, drove calves, OR stole 
I game. No more a faint interest take in names. 

Examples, yea. For all time will ye recall these lines ye 
read hereon. Wherein I say I was no calf, used no one foul. 
As all I writ is mine, and I am he who wrote my dramas 
AND my rhyme, my best I here acclaim as his who WAS a 
man, all gracious and with line and title, while he FLUNG 
his line to save ME from destruction of MYSELF. TIS 
true. IF ye knew all I COULD tell ye. I still recall my 
days in cone, my fleshly parts as well. To tell ye more I will 
not here. Mark this one grieved, this Wilde, to fit my crown 
to his own brow. My crown; poor, tawdry thing. But not 
SO tarnished AS my name, through time. 

TIME! Fold back thy wings this night and take me 
to that bourne where NO traveler CAN return to this stinking 
. called a footstool of Thine Own but too foul 
for aught OF Thee, as slinking curs* rape, tear, spoil AND 
Despoil, thinking but OF lustful parts, nor caring FOR Thy 
purities unsullied. 

O make men clean. My last request OF Thee TO 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


113 


mortal FOR Thy children whorish by intent, lacking all but 
OF Thee. And BY Thy Ghost, Holy AS pure, part Thy 
curtains of black night and separate no more Thy shades 
from Thy flesh of bodies, lest all ruin and deface Thy parts 
given FOR Thy glory AND purpose, O God. 

While men turn away from Thy wisdom as Creator, make 
all wise who shall refrain from harming Thy parts of Life, and 
bring from their unsullied sides babes FOR Thee, Father, whose 
plan IS reproduction of specie, as flower and shrub glorify Thee 
in blossoming time, male and female, FOR Thy PURpose. Spare 
Thy weeds: if Thy roots Thou didst create too, these ARE 
Thine, Maker of My soul, Shakespeare, who glorified Thee NOT, 
but amends FOR Thee hourly, as given by Thee this chance 
TO do. Amen. 


MENTAL VISION (Dreams) 


To Freud: The Visionary. 

There IS a record kept, ’TIS true, 
Somewhat BEHIND the human clod, 
Revealed to each as they emerge 
And find them souls, at one WITH God, 
Or, terrified by what they see 
Undone, brought forth FOR agony. 

But he who claims to READ a soul, 

From human sockets, still in foil, 
Imprints, OR visions, in the mind, 

Relying on man’s sweat, his toil, 
Completing his clear visioned plan, 

Is BUT an ass; he’s NOT a man. 

No wonder then he finds too late 
A wicket closed—himself tmdone. 

God’s sums ARE Flis arithmetic: 

His visions, pictures on the mind, 

All works of His infinitude 
Unsolved AS Flis riddles still, 

PAST any HUMAN’S thought, or , skill. 




114 


MY Proof of Immortality 


To tinker AT His work so vast, 

To spend all profitless His time, 

I tell mankind ’tis blasphemous 
To CLAIM ye equal One Sublime. 

Dividing, measuring, trespassing 
That ye His secret chest may draw 
And PULL its contents like ’twere threads,— 
Jackdaws have sense compared TO these. 

Nor ANY plan He has conceived 
Can MAN lay bare. 

HIS unctions ARE His Own, too great, 

Bey ond a man's mere crust, or pate. 

That, mward, by hypnofic trance. 

Btiuddling reason, deadening sense, 

Ye throw a spirit your foul lance, 

Suggesting by a towering will 
Its full reply TO FIT your cause, 

Ye may FIND wreckage, lacking power, 
Where ARE OBEYED His Laws. 

* 

Shakespeare In Spirit 
(To S. T. S.) 

Aug. 8th, 1920. 


To My Contemporaries, Lodge and Doyle: 

My Fellow Countrymen,— 

Knowing my escape from censure up to this for my pub¬ 
lished works from our side of the kingdom I now use YOU as 
instruments FOR my cause. 

Behold my several works from our realm, through her hand, 
ever true TO my words let me say, and take my word she IS 
my tool. 

To surmise you HAVE a following of the learned in your 
stations, I do not err. Behold the effort of MY mind to enlighted 
souls IN bodies un-escaped now, and yours to hold my light over 
your several heads while hands CAN move TO enlighten, as well 
AS mind. 

I finish WITH this plea. To carry a light as I have and do 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


115 


here is to perform a work from God’s invisible world equal to, 
ay surpassing those AMONG archives, mine while imprisoned in 
that case I worked with will AND trust and moved among my 
kind IN that body of members. 

I do acclaim my immortal part to BE His miracle performed 
as none have here worked out FOR Him. My motive is plain. 
On its face I live and LEAVE that handmark OF my own sur¬ 
vival none CAN question. Living still AM I immortal, let me 
ask YOU, Sirs, 

By the light I carry I am no fraud. Come hence and set for 
Him a plea as equal. Knowing Life’s difficulties from spirit here 
I say to YOU impossible unless through centuries you learn AS I 
have methods, mysteries of His divisions and indivisibilities. 

Can any doubt I AM he who wrote my rhymes and plays, 
behold my form I show to His elect who see a spirit’s form 
HAVING unsealed eyes. 

Read here my several pleas and take my effort in those 
mortal hands HAVING power to further His work BEFORE 
THEY rest at least. 

I am, Sirs, reverent with a poet’s heart AND loyalty, 

Your superior IN spirit. 

W. S. (my mark) 

Your Shakespeare. 

Amen. 

(To her, in her presence AND hearing, exact proof of my speech.) 

S. T. S. 

Nov. 20th, 1921. New York. 


Original. Taken at machine. 
TO “CLEMENCE DANE” 

(Spirit voice) Jan. 12th. ’23. N. Y. C. 

Had you your betters reverenced nor shot them through 
With rapiers false AS poisoned, you HAD sense. 

This now I claim, as being IN my world 
I HAVE the power TO utter for mySELF 
AGAINST you, woman, who my name do scour 
To fit YOUR nonsense on MY boards THIS hour. 




116 


MY Proof of Immortality 

You DARE so much? To make me out a crime 
UNfit my muse or ANY deed so low 
AS murderer’s weapons in my private time, 

I tell you now you ARE a traitorous one 

TOO low for this OF me, but I AM here, AND, KNOW. 

YOUR time, good dame, must some hour knitted be. 

Your thoughts expunged on ME must be laid low. 

I never harmed, if never I COULD spare 
Twas but those traitorous times did order me 
AND mine to MAKE a Play OF such AND those. 

I never harmed a woman. Nor, did one harm me 
UnTIL you took YOUR cudgels, thrust me through 
With rapiers knives, besmirched mine honored name, 
Posterity avowed me Hers. Twas left TO you 
To TAKE my name and wind a snake upon it. 

A serpent then, I brand You for all time. 

My home WAS mine, at least you’ll not defame IT. 

I thank you, wench. THIS wreath shall BE my rhyme. 

The immortal whose name you brand furnishes THIS brand foi 
YOUR name, since honors are so light it pays me to de- 
FEND my name. 

A Shakespeare NEVER mouthed by You. 

Good England’s bard. My country IS mine Home. 


Sonnet: “To C. Dane. Who “sees” Red, at times.” 
W. S. In spirit.) 


My time is now mine own. I live to pray. 

To pray my God such to be saved from 
As, evil with intents, you smirch my home, 

My name, AND race with what I NEVER left 
UpON my name, nor, have I answered HERE 
Where all do pay for murderous thought OR deed. 
To fit my crimes I CAME back now TO plead. 

God save this world from many minds like thine. 

Who taketh history’s page to smirch and maketh foul 
WITH thy intent TO murder ON my name 




117 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

FOR Play, who never harmed a son, or e’en a soul 
EXcept mine own. This GAVE me He Who made me conscience 
fine 

That I deMAND your pay where You may land 
Until you clean me OF the charge you hand. 

Shakespeare. A spirit. But, a Man.” 

(To S. T. S.) 

Original. Taken at machine. Time Twelve minutes. 


TO SOULS WHO C4VNOT DIE. 


Our proper person is here unaided by the amanuensis, and 
reply to your questioning. Souls are His everlasting parts, the 
results of His efforts, plans. IN bodies are these called 
“mortals”, OUTside cases referred to in parlance of “ghosts” 
or “spirits”. However plain history files our CASES, dust, WE 
live, HAVE not died, “passed beyond” even, but continue ex¬ 
istence AS mortals, except, bodiless, we become charges OF 
these, children at their doors, when NOT beggars such as I. 

I came to do a work for the Almighty, MY God I do aver. 
Since I was IN human form, cast OF clay, there has been no 
change whatever in MY reasoning powers. I wish to make it 
evident. My wits are mine own, headless ye may twitter, yet 
say I NOT so, else stood I here withOUT mine head THIS hour. 

Nay, fools pass many ribald jests between themselves sur¬ 
mising they ARE wise as Wisdom. Fools harm nothing more 
than themselves. That living part which needs NOT breath, 
commands all at the close which was OF them, inCLUding 
remonstrances, utterance foul which brands the internal eternal 
part of Wisdom’s own making. 

At His lathe did He measure AND perfect THROUGH 
toil His soul part He did devise? Smoothed He out its pattern 
through toil AS love? We glean nothing of this knowledge 
through the loss of dust AND breath. BeCOMing that soul-part 
we realize our IMperfections, SEE ourselves AND these, mean I. 

Living, then, ARE we. By no chance deem we, NOR 
choice, but through the PLAN of the Creator OF souls, bodies, 
life extant, undying in all various forms. 

The subjects FOR discourse BY souls, then. Do these 
become monotonous to us who pass through death’s door but 




118 


MY Proof of Immortality 


change not. Ay. We ponder His divisions who keepeth our 
records WITH His solutions. To gain all you can, is to BE 
all you can worthy of HIM. Else ARE you poor IN spirit. 
Shakespeare—who sees, smells, strides as ever the thorough¬ 
fares, makes a pun, enJOYS the same, NEEDS 
no breath-body, but thinks AND speaks with 
power AND might past body burial, from his 
soul shape, NOT shapeless but his own, whose 
ears hear all malignity AS praise, who NEVER 
died, STANDS here this instant, for His pur¬ 
pose, to waken ye of flesh parts while ye may pay 
Him tribute, while His miracle, breath, belongs 
to you AND Him. 

God bless us each AND all. 

W. S. Spirit 

Direct voice. Nov. 19th. 1921. (To S. T. S.) 


WHY SOULS FIND FEW MORTALS FIT TO USE. 
By Shakespeare’s Soul. 


We pause before portals long before entering. Surmises 
serve us not in spirit. Scientists play with these. Our parts 
parley not with subdivisional layers of His elements, spirit or 
body. For our purposes of might scarce human elements prevail. 
Consecration, altitude of mind, (its soaring element) reliance 
on the invisible, infallible, must this be too, then time, and effort 
mutually agreeable, or, if not this last, permissible with punish¬ 
ment et al. 

Women make better truer instruments than men because of 
their spiritual natures. In tune with God must every woman be. 
His subtler creation. Minds more plastic, less averted, reaching 
towards the invisible in their sorrows created hy men, or, losses 
through “death’s” change, or worse. 

A soul must seek its workers fit to serve, as he served. A 
task set by Wisdom? Revile it not, but wonder at His Divinity 
who calls us hence to find the impossible, except led of Him. 
And fit to wonder at is His perfection. One hearing as though 
“dead” already, holding converse with souls, helping these to 
plea, make restitution for Him to Him. 

Shall any utter His truth breaking no Law of His? Nay. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


119 


Not AS souls, say I. COULD His hand sweep aside His 
divisional differences? Ay. Could His souls emitted take for 
their purposes life-spans of His creatures owing Him naught 
for trespassing, all souls were embodied AS I. My body, spirit- 
shape, holds this human creature (wire have I SAID) in tow 
for MY purpose OF working His miracle FOR Him. Could 
all do AS I, would the natural progress, you ask. Can mortals 
BELIEVE my answers, I ask. Laborious, studious, painstaking 
as my effort here HAS been, do any believe I live or write this 
down? In His projection of time, spans undreamed of yet, will 
I continue MY labors, regardless of my effort here, my spirit’s 
work for the Almighty. Could I hope forgiveness OF His for 
usurpation of this fine one’s time except this work of mine be 
FOR Him? Then make it plain to DO His work is NOT a 
crime, yet have I trespassed the laws of His worlds, unless my 
powers be OF Him, the Utmost Mind, Power, IN spirit. 

To cure His leprous ones, Christ did but call. HIS answer 
came WITH cure. We make our plea for His polluted ones in 
bodies using His parts to defile Him. His Law-breakers, still 
His Own, His children aye. 

To welcome the souls surrounding every mortal is to make 
these homes, in fact. If ye part His curtains, His invisibilities 
may beCOME Visible. It rests WITH you, AS these. To 
LIVE as ONE, His souls, in and out of cases, ALL would in 
OUR world. Time IS the gourmand OF souls. To push aside 
His divisions is to be His wonder worker, still. Past my power 
to divulge how spirits plod, and pass their time away. Poor, are 
ALL SOULS. Know THIS, from ME. 

May / devise, yet not another, ye ask ? Would ye snap your 
finger in the Creator’s face, spy BACK of His curtains held 
with His hand, as BY His will. Would ye welcome souls to 
your hearth ye have not seen, be wise in SELECTING these, 
lest ye BE selected OF these to SERVE for them. YOURS he 
there, no doubt, did ye care for THEM would they answer back. 
“Love never dies”, ’tis said. Dies never, love. Tis true. What 
fabrications pass love’s name, MISusing it oft, profiting less 
through time. 

This recorded leave I as mine, too. Because of SOULS 
that trespass against you. All may not work AT His will with 
their undying part. 


120 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Spin your OWN pattern, hold your own light, name your 
works and be known by these in God’s forever. These, are His 
proof-sheets of your time in cone. 

Speak with and TO your own, hearing them NOT. These, 
hear you. Behold you. Aid you. Mayhap meet you at life’s 
closed eyelids, when that breath He gave is taken BY Him, 
through His plan, EFFORT, for all I know THIS hour,— 

In His unchanging part, that OF Himself, will ye stand AS 
I, known OF Him, as of ALL. 

Priceless His souls who love Him who IS love. Past my 
poet heart I here acclaim this fine one IS His tool, marking for 
all through His unending time, MY miracle FOR Him. 

Shakespeare IN spirit shape. Having the same shape, head, 
heart, as when I writ my verse and Plays, all 
told of men ’til now. 

Through Sarah, my fine tool. Found by me. 
Made for my purpose keen. A living wire. 
Guarded by hers, for me, in spirit. 

Now that will be all.” Amen. 


THE HEART’S SONG 


Ripples of laughter, notes of praise, 

Jingles and rhymes— 

THESE fill lover’s days. 

Bliss of the heart-strings, 
this, is love— 

DREAMED of through AGES! 

By ALL the sages! 

THIS, love! 

Yearning, burning, expresses 
caresses— 

Shafts fall from eyes 

Like unto heaven,— 

This IS the leaven 

OF Paradise! 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

THE GRACE OF GOD 


121 


Surpassing fair is ALL His work, 

Past ken OF souls IS He, Divine. 

His worlds swing high above US still, 

Past solvement of His souls, Ay, mine. 

How oft WE tarry, wonder, fear 
His whole creation, passing, fair. 

We ponder ON His increments, 

Who ARE His lights, in our despair. 

We know Him good whate’er prevail. 

We see Him greater THAN our line. 

We fear Him too, Who gave His Son, 

Was One WITH Him, we now opine. 

Where EVERY current IS OF God, 

Is EVERY form shaped BY His hand. 

We know His flesh must strive and wait, 
BEFORE they greet Him at HIS gate. 

W. S. In Spirit (To S. T. S.) 


AGNOSTIC: 


Where in the spheres ABOVE man's head 
The glow worms shine, the Almighty’s chart 
Alight, attune, as Wisdom’s plan, 

We would we played His Divine part. 

We roam where buttercups are spread. 

Each wildwood tree our brother is. 

No plan for us who yearn to know 
Rewards existence AFTER this. 

But night falls on our homeless heads, 

Set with His power to think and will: 
Unseen, unknown, we traverse earth 
With hearts as keen, and eyes that fill. 






122 


MY Proof of Immortality 


To you who write we now make moan: 
A plea to help us lift the veil, 

That we may share yourselves, and all 
God’s kingdom come would then avail. 
We walk, nor sleep, nor can we rest, 

Til mortals are as wise as we. 

Then help this woman hold a lamp 
That ignoramuses may see. 

* 

Shakespeare’s own hand. 


June 6th. 1920. Hopatcong, N. J. 

To-: 

Let us tell you who waits upon you. A bevy of souls, high 
souls, and low, according to your standards of thought, as you 
presume to think “spooks” of little value. 

You criticize my leaves written after breath left the old body 
claiming I am deteriorate than IN spirit. I grant you this. We 
DO deteriorate, degenerate also; if I were permitted to speak 
for myself I would claim my old body’s frame in which hung 
my body’s intelligence to be superior to my wraithe shape too. 

We pitch headlong, to hell,-, that is truth. We find 

hell consists of distemper over our award IN spirit. We live— 
we are HERE,—that is enough to promise you a full measure 
from us who preside over this gumdrop of ours. No slight 
intended. We CHOSE a gumdrop from the whole confectioner’s 
stall. Hence it IS ours. 

This is to prepare you for the truth later. Sometime will 
elapse ere you see spirit shapes. This is for your own benefit 
then it appears. Shoulder your gun, there will be a revolution 
when you arrive where I stand this hour trying to place a wedge 
for you that you may be lifted where yours would like to have 
you rise to join them where souls must know our sufferings. 
June 6th, 1920. 


TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEAD, WHAT IS IT? 


We will try to speak on this subject for the multitude who 
believe communication an impossibility, not the factor of harm 
in so doing, for those who think at all will never be convinced 







By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


123 


through pulpit oratory of theirs condescending to harm . . . 
since this could not become possible after the change which had 
not prevailed before it. To harm, what is it? To wrong. Idly 
speaking, to deceive, cheat, defraud, lie, steal and the like. Then, 
ours do not come in this category. The minister who preaches 
about spirits so must have been very near evil himself to com¬ 
municate this thought so verbally regarding the dear dead, so 
called for a better term. 

We speak who are spirit now, after our body lies submerged 
in earth these long time of years. Have you ever thought of 
yours thus? Try TO think then of your own self demised. 
Can you now bear the thought of a good minister of God's 
pronouncing you a doer of evil because you are not alive in flesh ? 
Subtract from all he says one good thought for earth’s men, a 
hope, a God adjustment superior to the Almighty’s, or an excuse 
for bringing out of their homes a mass of sorrowing individuals 
to hear him brawl against God’s Own proved plan. Doer of 
evil say I. Harm may come to thee greater than surmised for 
spirits who accompany thee everywhere and peek beneath that 
hide seeing the impulse back of speech even, ay. 

Now. Since we speak not for your kind, nor any who do 
not revere God’s plans FOR souls, spirits, yes, but ours who 
yearn to reach us as we do them to be sure, I give what I can 
to help them . 

We dead are present everywhere. We comprehend Min¬ 
isters, too. Flocks of lost ones here unite to keep them warned 
who warned not, followed not, set no example for them TO fol¬ 
low. The passing of Clergymen to our hereafter is considered 
meritorious time for ribald phrase, my lord. His pass key does 
not fit. No, no. Something must be wrong with the lock. Get 
the plumber. The Gateman is off on a holiday, perhaps. Or, has 
he forgotten the pass word, perhaps. But, it remains for me to 
say to You, OF the pulpit but NOT for Him and His plan 
FOR souls, that the Priests ARE here in great numbers. If 
they followed Him would they be lifted where His Son IS. We 
argue thus, Sir-: good man of chance and changes. 

Oh it is not easy to forget your earth body experiences: 
we see you AS you ARE. No shadow lies, Sir. His spirit tells 
the truth. Marked FOR Him or not, it stands forever and ever, 
good Doctor. And your robe of His accentuates your backslid- 


124 


MY Proof of Immortality 


ing, but it, too, is here, for You, Sir. Some mistake, that you 
cannot change your clothes . . . has your luggage not arrived 
yet? And so I speak to warn You we are eavesdroppers, we 
spirits, without voices audible to You, Sir, but having spirit voices 
some do hear, and, mind. Could it be possible that Your mind 
COULD hear spirits of God? Perhaps. If you first touch God, 
He may speak to you through us, for all I know He IS speaking 
now, as I try to lift You from your earth soddenness. 

To warn of harm, should you come hence a nonbeliever in 
God’s souls, for which He sent His blessed Son, giving Him the 
help OF souls, spirits, to heal, cleanse, raise, cure,—to prove to 
You who took charge of souls FOR Him, I would enlighten you 
this hour. YOUR Saviour it was Who bled and “died,” return¬ 
ing in spirit, speaking in spirit form to His true disciples, standing 
in the midst of these unseen until He chose to reveal Himself, 
YOUR GOD, MINE, too, Sir, had That sacred form put back 
in That blessed flesh, His Own UNdying soul, and lifted FOR 
You, and such AS You, to believe Him All-wise, Perfect in His 
Wisdom as in All things. 

Then if God harms Himself through saving our souls to 
speak as I speak here, I leave that TO Him: it IS His province: 
it IS His plan. Those leaves you turn at times to read, Scriptural 
Divine Word of His, History written FOR Him, do you com¬ 
prehend Him a God of the lost as well as the saved? ARE any 
saved? Yet? Do you KNOW, Sir, since you have not passed 
through our gate, if any are? Where ARE They? Our heads 
are lifted higher than Yours, yet we cannot see ours here, no 
not where they were lifted, yet. If I perform FOR you a service 
then am I an evil one of His too, since I AM here speaking, Sir. 

MY soul IS His now: yours still must plea. Then change 
your course, advise WITH Him, see His wisdom, know Him 
better, then, Who saves All souls for Himself until forevermore. 

Try to speak with yours Sir in heaven. Have you tried? 
You will find them if you try and lose not heart in still making 
the effort to reach them. For some door is open, some little 
partition, however thin, may emit a recognition of your Mother, 
father, sister, brother who “died”. But never came back to YOU 
who never tried to think of them as living souls. Here, yes, 
oh yes, Sir: we ARE present who write. Our fancy the same, 
imagination too, able to plot or kill a king, to ring the curtain 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


125 


up or down with ease, greater than with cords and tassels too, 
Sir. This curtain behind which I Shakespeare stand this even¬ 
ing holding my part reciting for You In The Name of God, the 
truth of His: my soul speaks to save Your soul who cares not 
For His dead, nor His Book, nor Him Who sent me here to do 
His will and bid me wait until finished my time of service FOR 
Him I failed to serve with lips or heart. 

Enough. Humble yourself before God, asking Him to save 
you from that skepticism which berates Him, undervalues Him, 
belittles His plans, underestimates His values. Then, if you 
come hither a skeptic, you will find your place among the lost, 
where souls gather who preached against His wisdom, unvarying, 
Infinite. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit To one who discoursed on harm of 
attempting to speak with God’s in spirit shape 
who occupy the same land as he. Wiser than 
Wisdom: paying no heed to the Master’s teach¬ 
ing on this subject: making an ass of his 
brethren in pulpits: braying to the bereaved 
who long in both worlds to communicate with 
God’s undying ones. W. S. 

(Through S. T. S.) 


THE TRAGEDY OF DEATH (so-called) 


We behold the King never. We hold to our past lives of 
flesh in so much as these represent us, varying not at all from 
us, either. Our past, each one, I say, IS what they find when 
dying, breath escapes forever, emits a soul, a spirit from the hide. 

To dwell on the tragic alone I would not, so let me add my 
comedy here the while I perform my part for souls indwelling. 
To behold the outer form varying in shapes as colors, faces little 
dwelt on, searched for, through days of cone, must we search 
for them where known, abiding, born, dwelling. Not so here. 
We carry our part to dwell amongst the forms of ages outflung 
from flesh—parts; all as free as we are TO roam, search the dome 
called Paradiso. How shall we confess the consternation WE 
felt as we became neighbors of these various companies mixed 
up, not next door verily but nearer, at the elbow ever. The 




126 


MY Proof of Immortality 


niceties of choice, ultra refinements, use of knowledge, wit or 
power, all become at one, too. Oh yes. We know brotherhood’s 
first example here. Crafty as we may be we lose no power, 
but gain in knowledge. Yet we share with all each new find 
owing to lack of privacy here, after the body needs NO house, 
OR housing, my friends. 

To WRITE OF tragedy could I, who wrote the same with 
digits, wits and usages. Must I write the tragic power of the 
Maker to assemble all together regardless of births OR powers 
of Him, fineness, subtleties, perceptions, would I give you this 
hint to HELP you when the utmost gentleness suffices, must do 
so. Then, if tragedy is gentle it is not so hard to bear, I think 
you mouth back at me. I said it not. Utmost God must BE 
His perfected modes of associations, associates methinks. With¬ 
out, IN His realm of spirits, where all are homeless for a time, 
I tell you once more, often as I speak it let me speak my part 
to warn all,—you will have no seclusion, no place set apart for 
you alone in which you may delve, hide or rest. All pervades 
the heavens, He is Master IN His House without a roof except 
His tapestries unwoven but set BY Him, the everlasting stars 
upon His curtain. 

To BE homeless, then, would you? In His heavenly process 
we know the worth of Home. Souls gather where of yore they 
assembled. These led others where they find sympathy, love, 
kindred we say now. Of yore, in flesh, this was to speak of 
blood. Where souls reconnoitre we feel relations are our kind. 
Our companies are ever changing. We loiter to assume a work, 
go on our way when completed this for souls OR mortals. We 
work in bands formed by workers of mind, strength, lifters of 
burdens, errand makers, souls assuming the burdens as they are 
capable. 

Must every tragic scene assume a comic phase, you ask? 
Yes. If souls could see themselves, all serious in fact, while 
we laugh over their severity, knowing the result of worry, cares, 
for naught, principals evaded would serve to strengthen minds 
in right living that they MIGHT rise ABOVE homelessness. 

Taking the lantern this one gives me I toil for you. Shall 
your soul emit to share the mixture of sin brewed by His sinful 
ones. Or, prevailing upon you, as I ever have and must, can 
you accept of MY soul’s warning evading HIS tragedies OF 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


127 


soulship. We work as few have or can. Again I, Shakespeare, 
reiterate this for your warning. Must I have travelled far 
before this one did write this down, if I be true in words, as 
deeds. Here, none care to vary from His truth. We pay who 
dissemble. Looking forever out of His windows on His gardens 
of souls, scattered like thistle on His winds, are we prepared to 
give Him that ounce of truth from our tongues, we who have 
His chance, take His chance, AFTER “dying.” To work at His 
wonders as I do IS to profit if you heed my soul’s words or 
belie Him. Thus do I speak OF tragedies none CAN know but 
His spirits. To part His veil, showing His plans, keeping NOT 
His secrets for Him, may we be forgiven OF Him, Who IS God. 

Shakespeare’s Soul, UNdying part, able as He gave me to do. 
New York City, April 27th. (To S.T.S.) 

1922. 


CONSOLERS IN SPIRIT 


In Our Father’s House are souls who would lighten burdens 
having no hands but hearts still to unite in swindling the souls 
in living bodies, lest they die of grief, they tell me, who approve 
not of subversions. Acts of evil construed as kindliness turns. 
These tell theirs and others IN cones of the beauties of His 
kingdom of heaven. How vast is His kingdom WE know. 
Vaster than knowledge OF souls. That these skip over, take a 
place higher on the rungs than we who serve here, that we know 
not, since our very own are lacking here. These parts have they 
NOT beheld, visionaries that they be. Imaginings must cease 
if His kingdom takes this sphere TO Him. We revolt at lies 
who make our souls to serve FOR Him AND His cause. To 
tell the ones IN bodies that salvation need not BE earned is to 
mutter AGAINST Him AS His plans. For have WE earned 
this right to speak thus tonight upon paper. Spheres there ARE, 
MUST be. All is OF Him. HIS. Yet, to oppose Him in His 
face, telling of bliss and beauties where all is calm and peace, 
is to utter His revilements. I MUST out with it, friends. I 
am a soul, past dying. My parts are with me. I have my sense 
to see, surmise AND perceive. Why, if the Maker HAS riddles, 
does He not reveal them to US here, I ask. Past His cone of 




128 


MY Proof of Immortality 


flesh, given for His uses but tainted by our sins, must every 
soul stand where I stand this hour. 

MY Father’s House has many mansions too. Behold! His 
palaces of light! Lights inextinguishable. His OTHER planes, 
no doubt. His other specie, then? Ah, we behold Him not, 
NOR His kinds, except as given OF Him so to do. To mock 
Him by His unfulfilled promises, giving out His literature FOR 
Him, were I to blazon MY way thus, would I FEAR HIM! 
To mock Him by expressing His divisions: to parley His great¬ 
ness o’er for simple gains, to SAVE even His just pain caused 
AT parting, if He wish it thus, is to wrong His intelligence ! 
Tease Him. For warning implicit souls IN cases of His wisdom 
for them, being false statements to rule out His pain of memories, 
is to defy Him. 

Being a shade of His I come to enlighten souls IN cases 
FOR Him that His time may come ON earth FOR Him. When 
His Son may come again. AS Ruler Divine. Why this uncer¬ 
tainty, you ask. Why, I ask you. HE knows mortals, all their 
devising, true: He reads every heart, tells their motivment as 
a closed seed knows its kind, abiding its time, attended by His 
elements. True. It must be so. Hearing withOUT sound, sing¬ 
ing without KEY, swinging without visible balances, HE rules 
Who knows. 

Then am I constrained to offer for His Own this grain. 
Fear the Almighty Who rocks by His will universes, holds sys¬ 
tems in His hand, nor expunge aught of His, though suffering 
leave its scar on those IN bodies, weighed BY Him in His time 
you will be found among His waiting ones, mayhap for this and 
this alone. I know not here. 

Could I, Shakespeare, turn back His clock whereby MY 
soul might serve Him anew, would I be warned OF a soul come 
back for the purpose. Leave to His miracles His divulgements. 
Plan not FOR Him. Deceive not His anywhere. All roam un¬ 
guarded in His after time here, to await His voice OR will, for 
I know not nor does any soul know more. 

To writhe and squirm about His secrets unfolding His 
kernels, that we may delve inside His wisdom, is to cheat your¬ 
selves, living in what ever bodies, ye must live forever. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


129 


By His time dragging on for my soul, for you. 
Shakespeare’s Soul For His weavers of plots, making all to 
rejoice after His breath; which is false. 


THE UPRISING AGAINST THIS TRUTH 


Christians are the followers after Jesus Christ. Profiting 
by His life, miracles, examples, knowledge, words, as well as 
His ressurection. That He came from God (Spirit) and was 
One with that Spirit, rose to share His kingdom AFTER His 
spirit spoke to His disciples, is a part of that sacred History 
little used this day of Our Lord Jesus. 

Priests and Ministers snarl, rant, defy God in pulpits, be¬ 
cause of spirits, like unto His, Jesus’ spirit, soul, as well as His 
plan FOR souls, spirits, here on earth. Divinity is not needed, 
or His plans today. Religionists have closed That Book OF 
Spirit, the soul, which is eternal as Jesus taught and proved FOR 
them, regardless of His admonition, “All those who have ears 
TO hear LET them hear.” “Those who ARE ignorant, let them 
remain ignorant still.” WHILE these snarl AND rant, souls 
look on. On THEM. It IS true. 

You may build up a system of profit for your several 
denominations out of your objections, instilling fears FOR 
ghosts IN hearts, but YOU, severally and collectively, min¬ 
isters of religion, will fall into a pit whence you cannot by 
devious ways NOT His find Light. I know. I fell therein myself. 
Shakespeare am I. My stage and boards today reFLECTS 
your subversion. Look at IT. Can any doubt that if you had 
done YOUR parts, severally, I reflect on no one single here, 
that crime could pictured be, finding its way into virtue’s eyes, 
flaunted FROM the stage, paid to look upon vice of criminals , 
base sin as sinners? I ask. Why is this. You stopped to gather 
wool for YOUR soft beds. Among ye there are men so vile 
prayers would not attend the dying if monies did not accom¬ 
pany the plea for same. YOU lost eternal life for others, then. 
Aye. True, YOUR soul must emit, soon. Become a spirit, 
a shade, like mine, here beside this woman who hears my voice 
this day projected FROM that veillike shape mine own still. 

A Christian, then, is a wool-gatherer today. An ounce of 




130 


MY Proof of Immortality 


prevention in his money-bag or till, first, then a scampering after 
the goats who believe what Jesus taught and died to prove, de¬ 
claiming them from pulpits instead of rehawking His wares for 
HIM. 

That Book, His record, those leaves of His Words making 
sermons OF sermons, ye lay by to smoke at the mouth revilement 
against anything and all things WE say ARE vile, taking His 
pulpit for a screaming porch to stir up wraths within souls instead 
of calming them with Jesus’ admonitions. Then Ye expect to 
rise, they tell me. Rush into HIS kingdom, finding HIM await¬ 
ing YE. BAH. Scoring the like of souls such as ye are here 
I crave not. But this my plea registered FOR ye ere ye emit 
and stand Dishonored OF Him. 

Christianity INcludes souls. His parts OF Him, saved 
from the grave or any burial. I know, for I STAND here. Then 
it would seem that the plan of God FOR His Infinite souls would 
SUIT ye, if ye WERE His followers, which ye claim ye are,— 

Since Christendom and BEFORE HE WAS sent to better 
the world BY the proof OF spirit return, BY His Father, God, 
there were BETTER men THAN ye men in pulpits today, who 
hawk not FOR Him, but do spit upon Him AND His plans, 
the fruit of His suffering, agonizing FOR ye, traitors foul. 

Could I tell for posterities what is back of it all, how I 
behold you men and your lusts satisfied withOUT His plans, 
O God Thy temples WOULD fall, could men surmise ye AS 
ye are at heart, within. Change your minds to include His works 
AND Him, or die in shame a traitor OF His. Fall into disgrace 
ye will before another century, when all your armies now forming 
FOR ye and by ye for that end, too, will perish from the earth, 
and the true God will live and rule withOUT ye and your 
bitter doses welched forth to save your Peter’s pence for YE, 
NOT Him. 

My leaves COULD tell all of it. Would your spires fall, 
then. Beware of the dead, as ye call them, think on them, teach 
your flocks to regard them, for we see and hear YOU, past our 
graves. Mongerous ones. 

W. S. In Spirit 

(To S. T. S.) 

March 7th, 1922, New York City. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

DO GHOSTS WALK AT NIGHT? 


131 


This is a paper, not a poem, girl. 

We walk, sometimes. More often ride. The air. Our 
motions are like yours, only we parley ours, not so fast. We 
go wherever we will. Sometimes we halt and stay a long, long 
time in one house. Then we sit, true. Rise, and go and come 
much as mortals in their bodies do perform. We HAVE bodies, 
the same as you, only opaque, of light, formless forms as we 
are wont to speak of these betimes. We hold grudges, too, you 
can be sure. I do, for instance. Can we forgive because we 
sleep not anymore? You think? Twould be easier to become 
sleepless of ourselves. No. We forgive, but not sublimely yet. 
It is for them who wear their flesh and bones to think themselves 
Perfection’s tools. But ghosts I was to speak upon. 

Thin partitions, who are visible or not, according to situa¬ 
tions, broken laws, I claim, for WAS it His intent ALL might 
be seen IN forms OF spirit, anyhow you’ll see if I am right 
and soon. I’m coming in to pay a nightly visit. My old corpse 
laid to rest, I strive to be a gentleman still, so, if you scare, 
affright me by your UNgracious manner, Sarah, I shall never 
repeat my call. Your chamber is arranged for my nightly visit, 
so come I will beside your couch and lift the cover slightly that 
you may see you are not dreaming. Then rise up and greet me, 
please. Be kind enough to place your hand upon my shoulder 
and permit me to escape without a pang. Remorse seizes me at 
times that I have so little to offer in way of entertainment. It 
is all over, our several kinds of fun, jokes, plays, poems, written, 
bound, finished. Would I were a Professor of a College and 
had such pupils as you have been I would be the sagest of them 
all. But no, I must not grieve that it IS done. For awhile at 
least I can find more to do in bunching these into a lot for the 
public and driving a wedge for their senses. Books I mean. 
They are obtuse snivellers, dwellers on one planet though we 
are they find it hard to commit themselves to spirit beliefs. Well, 
so be it, we are not at fault. Dwindling your time in cone. Soon 
you must reach spirit yourself, Sarah. Time taken by the fore¬ 
lock then would be our advice. We can waste no time, my love. 
Pray without ceasing, and stand near the edge to fall into my 
arms, I wait to lift you up. These are my last words now. I 



132 


MY Proof of Immortality 


go. Prepare to meet me in this chamber when you have slept your 
first hours, then say if I AM Shakespeare’s ghost, and CAN I 
walk. - 

ANALYTICAL SCIENCE 
The Atom of Atoms 

For “Discoverers” Have Been, Would-Be. From Shakespeare’s 

Soul. 


To prove a work, as I HAVE, every scientist so-called 
should, else claim to bare no facts, add to nor subtract from His 
equations. 

I speak now of discoverers, the learned delvers INto HIS 
secrets, parleying His subdivisional incomprehensibilities. Wis¬ 
dom’s secrets ye MAY ponder through His eternal time, SET 
FOR YE TO wonder at OR fumble. 

Partitions of His HIDDEN causes NEVER unfolded 
through brainpower of mortals microscoping ANY effect, reality, 
evidence. “Plain as the stars,” WE say IN spirit. Ay. Then, 
HIS mysteries. And His ALONE. 

I pause beFORE His plunderers whose guideposts ARE set 
for them BY Wisdom, All-power, Ruler OF atoms, systems, 
tides, heat, lights. 

Suspended as are these ABOVE ye beFORE your vision 
all clear, YET have ye not solved THESE. CAN ye, then, 
adjust, adjudge His reason OR reasoning power, mites in His 
balance THAT ye are! 

To take His mind, that power INvisible, and thwart 
THROUGH it (ye POSSESS no doubt, in measure), the fine 
delicacies of that hidden current, as ye have aided no befuddled 
reason yet to prove ye HAVE LOCATED His invisible instru¬ 
ment (part OF His LIFE I tell ye,) and stigmatize WITH 
YOUR formula any secret of His invisible powers—brands ye 
all His fools. 

Would I be His traitor stepping again back of His curtains 
leaving ye in doubt as to MIND CURRENTS. 

Inventors of hypotheses befuddling reason, naming effects 
from causes you support, branding His creature BY your in¬ 
ventions (yet branding yourSELVES worse, in time unending), 
pliers of mortals set to ppke UNDER His invisible tides, that 
ye may greaten yourselves in your suppositions harming AND 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


133 


defacing His real expositions, did ye but know, as ye knit up 
what ye have not and CANnot have,—where STAND you, a 
mortal, wise AS the Creator. 

All mind IS God. No man in shape e’er fathomed Him, 
His reasoning OR reasoning powers. The Infallible God. Un¬ 
approachable AS unseen. Balancer of systems AND minds, 
whose hinges never mortal OR soul beheld, up TO this hour. 

To pick His lock, unfasten HIS doors, must ye first BE 
spirit. FORM, ay. Yet bodiless, withOUT bones, with the 
SAME mind, freed from hampering obstructions TO reason 
WITH Him, I say. 

COULD ye sum His distance AS ye think would ye be 
greater THAN ye are. To presume as fact I CAN see being 
a soul OUT OF body, ye have less to take as one discovery 
PROVED TO YE, than to confide in any measuring tool per¬ 
fected through human sockets. His illimitable space. UN- 
measurable to SOULS. Yet ye have weighed up His suns and 
worlds, know their shapes AND variances. IMplausible, I say. 
No tool has ever done this for you, poor wites of Wisdom’s 
greatness, vastness, SECURITY. 

Then HIS attributes leave TO Him, less HE divide or mul¬ 
tiply FOR ye FROM His powers. 

Could I, ONE SOUL, BE wise sufficiently to endorse FOR 
ye a promulgation of His theories or expound Plim in the least, 
WOULD I. IMpossible, unknowable, unfathomable Spirit, Mind, 
Power. 

For I pause unknowing Him still BEING His part IN His 
life, still. What would you? To divide Him IN yourselves? 
THEN find Him. 

To allude now to those prints OF mind. Pictures in sleep. 
Experience AFTER the eyelids close and memory survives. 
What cylinder unrolls, what current escapes, UNused, mayhap, 
BUT generated FOR use. 

I ply WITH my thought still, work I here His miracle OF 
mind survival, having NO casement. Can I throw a picture as 
a ball, and PLACE IT for a small advantage of time, regardless 
of convolutions or processes embedded in fluids and tissues— 
but must I inform you, brains are storeplants whose treasures 
cannot rifled be with ANY keys MEN hold, as YET. Nor ever. 
Spirit sits within reason’s door. Her welcoming IS there. The 


134 


MY Proof of Immortality 


mind plays how MANY THOUSANDS of keys I know not. 
Innumerable, are mysteries still AFTER the change. 

Then, to SUPPOSE all acts AS thoughts may BE ticketed, 
found-out, labeled, or that subdivisions may be known, reLIED 
on (matching never in two cases, I here claim), is to build a 
fallacy for honors, miseries to boot. 

A playtoy is life, that life ye would dismember by cogitating 
His purposes and wonders, to fix blame, measuring acts from 
causes, or reverse, when concerned WITH mind alone ye have 
not told yet what IT is, or where its source, how planted for 
instance, that ye may NOT dismember, shock, unhinge, set-back 
its clock, lest ye witness the unrestored flint of the Maker’s riddle, 
balanced unvarying, THROUGH His power alone. 

Thought IS its expression. A rivet lost, ALL gone. Unless 
Nature mend with her needle, what can YOU? 

I pause, knowing myself His reflection, His cause. All being 
preserved still, for which I praise Him here. YET I know not 
Him. Spirit though I AM. 

May those IN flesh who invert His causes, reasoning with 
His indivisibilities incomprehensible, pause before they brand 
His children by their Un-reason. 

Analysis of soul. God’s prefect. Handle gently His sub¬ 
jects, mysteries, tools. Brand not one of His. Spy as ye will, 
can ye know more than my soul here playing on those strings 
of His WITH my part INvisible except TO minds in spirit 
sense? Then are ye picking at that part OF mortals never 
extinct, enduring for His illimitable time THROUGH His eter¬ 
nity, which ye allow not existence, so to speak, telling, aiming 
so to do, what transpires WITH it IN its clay, irreverent as to 
“dying,” change which changeth naught OF us, souls HAVING 
minds the same. You cry here at NOT so. HE’S changed IN 
his mind. Then know a flutist may play BUT his flute, here. 
I chose the best I could procure FOR my purpose OF amend¬ 
ment. During time will ye marvel AT my work WITH soul. 

Adjust your minds, brains as well (all strings centering here) 
to leave to His soul parts, “images” “undercurrents” (of which 
ye know nothing up TO this) “effects from causes underlying.” 
Ye blister at it all. Scabs of learning are your inventions MAR¬ 
RING minds WITH your minds. 

To explain all must ye BE All. I am but His atom, knowing 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


135 


NOT His adjustments IN spirit. Praise ye the Lord, find 
HIM in YOURSELVES, His atom, mayhap, His soul. Making 
harness FOR His invisible parts OF soul, grooves where thoughts 
MUST travel, sluices for minds less understanding than blamed. 
Regarding not HIS miraculous invention, too, soul-part, spied 
not out unTIL now BY YE, hateful of HIS patterns, proof as 
well, these creatures, worms crawling IN HIS dust, do magnify 
THEMselves. 

Work WITH His wonders ye BEHOLD. Defy not Him 
who MADE thee man GIVING you His life-parts as well. Grow, 
expand, rise WITH HIS parts HAVING served BUT Him, nor 
falsified Him IN the least, incomprehensible One of patterns that 
He is. 

WITH that invisible part OF Him do I hold this, mine own 
taper FOR you. Can ye not SEE my shape will ye behold NOT 
this light OF Him. Then fall with His surmisers knowing not 
Him. AS I, Shakespeare from Avon’s Stratford, rise when ye 
CAN do so. 

My confreres, I adore you still. WOULD help ye on. 
But your scientific gurgling on His undiscovered subjects OR 
parts, is YOUR lost time. 

I do salute you WITH my mind hereon, all comedies being 
written BY yourselves do I observe,—some pity. 

Shakespeare’s mind part, preserved past death’s alterations, 
desirous of assisting those OF mind believing them¬ 
selves his equalities. 


(To S. T. S.) 


Thanksgiving Eve. 

Nov. 23rd, 1921. New York City. 


FLOWERS OF SPEECH 


Past our understanding powers of euphonious speech pre¬ 
served still! Our tongues STILL IN our mouths, having these 
parts preserved as well. Words TO carry our meaning, if we 
care to use them still, and all do care, let me say, for those who 
sneer at the Maker’s marvels. Prettiness of words. Language. 
The harpsichord of the heart. 

Hearts. Seats of learning, what have you comparable with 
His chalice, the seat of love, the precious harp swept by the Hand 




136 


MY Proof of Immortality 

of Almighty Love Himself. OUT of reason fashioned He this 
holy instrument NEEDing no learning. Poured through its being 
the harmonies of soul-music. Fashioned He the temple OF 
Mind: reason. Out of its depths, or across its Plains, for I 
know not YET being EVEN His soul, the unutterable sounds 
MAKING music before those chords are struck which REACH 
the human. Feeling; emotion, sentiment (expressed or UN- 
expressed) ALL various phases of His masterpiece MADE to 
resound to His key! 

Soul elements: what are these. His ineffable chords. Re¬ 
flected, resounding Him. His universe, the same! Part OF 
Him, God. Maker Who devises withOUT tools through wisdom, 
power alone. 

Created He an image OF His likeness, spirit. Made He 
eternal time through which souls must endure AS parts OF 
Him, undying AS himself. Called He forth EACH spirit FROM 
the clay HE FASHIONED (mark this well. For I do hear the 
sputtering of unwise ones regarding His flesh) (how it did rise 
from apes. Bah. Disgust aplenty. I am His soul cast out to 
find Him. In jungle, as withIN His marble, do I behold His 
created forms, distinct, apart FROM Him, but His patterns.) 

His silent speech needing NO tongue, comprehended by 
EVERY spirit. His melodious, silent, systems. Held by His 
hand and steadied by His word or WITHOUT these through 
His Divine Will through His Own Invention, Eternity. 

Part OF this system am I His soul. One speck in His 
universe OF universes. Dust to dust, YET am I. A soul. One. 
Undying AS His time. Swung out of His flesh world INto spirit, 
changed but unchanged still, to serve Him who did create all out 
of His wisdom AND greatness, beYOND comprehension OR 
computation. 

His thought-world: His silent speech: His language, no 
doubt to OUR minds. Forming, building, enduring, reflecting, 
qualities OF Mind (capital M, old girl). 

Ye carry naught hence befitting soul but what ye do find, 
bind, AND carry OF Him, God. Yet all ye gain in knowledge 
IS His power and wisdom, mite THAT ye are stored with all 
ye CAN know. 

Fallen accents, joyous, rebellious, expressions of His voice 
all-silent, used by His souls unexpressed as sound, expressed as 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


137 


silence, in waves, withOUT sound, yet true to string AS melody, 
THOUGHT FORMS, spirit speech unuttered BUT spoken 
WITH mind ABOVE the brow, on high, the dome’s top. 

THOUGHTS, then, HAVE forms, and are NOT formless. 
Surrounding every mortal, these, speaking Them, their visible 
records of themSELVES, wordless, tones, eradicable. (I looked 
for this word in i —in etc. and was told by spirit “erasure” :S.T.S.) 

His harps Discordant. As a man thinketh so IS he “verily, 
BECOME. HIS poesy, then, IS voiceless. Vibrant, IN tune, 
or OUT OF His harmonious creation, are YOU, His soul, emit¬ 
ted FROM clay. His silent harmony harmonious WITH Him, 
or His DIScord withOUT His note, keyed not BY His hand. 
GOD OF ALL SOULS. All Harmony Divine. Essence of 
ALL-Good. Baton OF Thy Time. 

Lover, AS ALL-love, Father thou complete 
Every homeless child OF Thine, 

Seeking Thy mercy seat. 

Shakespeare IN Spirit 

Nov. 20th, 1921. “To Her who takes my soul’s plea.” 


HIS THOUGHT WORLD 


By Shakespeare’s Spirit (To S. T. S.) 

Dividing His substance into layers we subdivide Him Who 
made His creation out of His mind forces, omnipotent Will. 
He IS mind, thought, force, will Omnipotent. As spirits use 
His methods here, a force OF His, spirit only let me say, we 
know His power INcludes us who work with, must work with, 
as FOR Him. Spirit, God: spirits, God-parts, His subdivisions, 
particles, ay, mites. Atoms of His: spirits: souls. His Infinite 
breath, eternal as God. 

Why do I, a spirit, linger on these subjects for you. That 
you may profit by OUR understanding parts useful after demise: 
His closed time of breath. That you may call His Name and 
instantly BE healed, cured, saved from dying daily IN spirit. 
CAN you call. HAVE you a voice vibrating, clear, which can 
call ON Him, I ask. May you use this while it echoes, having 
your chance closed to You when, in silence OF God that voice 
in you be stilled. 




138 


MY Proof of Immortality 

Why is it necessary to awaken mortals while in cone TO 
call on Him, you ask. For I would answer all you would you 
knew. Since, and if, we spirits must still call and serve for His 
purpose, may you not delay the time when you, as a soul, shall 
work for Him, love Him and serve Him too? At your risk. 
Your loss. Your eternal (for aught I know who write) sorrow 
AND pain, as remorse also. 

My better part cries hereon. Saved, yes. Saved is man, 
oh yes. ForEVER. And /orever. To divide His sum FOR 
Him I would not. His hand holds His equation, balance. Mine 
holds the power to warn you, maybe to save you from yourselves. 
My name is one of the forever-ever names, living WITH my 
works, crimes, lusts, never to BE cleansed in His time, but 
standing OUTside with His who followed strange gods. 

To BE illustrious, what IS it. To stand WITH the im¬ 
mortals of earth, the learned scribes, having stroked the tongue 
for royalties, as WELL as sovereigns. To be acclaimed as great 
by tongues in ashes, throats as vile as mine, no doubt, as with 
His Name oft these do revile Him back OF my wings this hour, 
where I do sometimes loiter withow/ my bones. Have THESE 
a thinking part, I ask of you? Or, thoughtless, witless, have 
they lived, breathed, knowing nothing of Him? O shame, I cry 
to them. First must ye think it out, men of fame as lovers and 
lawbreakers,—WITH that mind He gave you FOR His pur¬ 
pose. When ye see Him in His hereafter, as I do stand at His 
door, will ye regret His lost hours, days, years of span He calls 
a life. 

To command Him instantly for ALL your needs, this IS 
possible IF ye seek, think, stand, upright IN that mind. Re¬ 
nounce ALL not OF Him. Fling back the crowns bestowed for 
shame. Stamp out nothing OF Him withIN yourselves that ye 
may give this space of room to lust or crime or folly. That 
twisted thing ye ribald ones make joke on waits for you, to 
frighten You, Yes: Yourself: your misshapen soul. Hacked, 
Seared, Blistered by You. His deformity, then, are you in shape 
of ghost ye utter to deride Him, with a sneer. 

Think out His purpose. CAN you. HAVE you a soul, 
you think ? How came you By this part you hope to find WITH 
Him AND His. He Fathered You. No life spark but He 
fathered. He knows each pattern, even His ingrates. Then He 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


139 


must have planned for these a punishment severe who could not 
accept Him AND His plans FOR them. Think. His soul am I. 
Oh, we need not any further proof along this line, we HAVE 
spoken FROM soultime AND proved us here by speaking FOR 
the dead. Too much for you to seek the dead, you say. Then 
may the dead seek ye. Ay. They MAY. CAN. SHOULD. 
Ye cannot throw a stone but it would strike a soul. Nor move. 
Nor think but it is heard BY some souls anear to thee. True. 
Ay, the dead, you say. I say you NAY. I am not dead this 
hour who preach this line to you. I live. Hereon, as well. 

Grasp at SOME line of thought which shall prove of benefit 
at the close. His thought, Himself. His power as well. Escape 
you cannot: He is everywhere. Even with the lost. Tis true. 
Were I not His son could I not affirm it so. He leaves no child 
comfortless. He keeps His word. 


THE MIND’S EYE 


By Shakespeare’s Spirit 

When we examine the principle of expression we need the 
soul’s eye. You, who deride all you CANNOT see AND hear 
know little OF thought forms OR speech, verily. WE fail in 
this land OF soul-shapes who deride God OR His possibilities. 
As we vary in understanding here as mortals in THEIR attempts 
as we progress, learn, are able or otherwise, IN absorbing 
wisdom, finding, learning; for we are all students still in this 
unDIScoverable country. Our phases OF learning, what con¬ 
stitutes these, you ask of me now. OUR betters there ARE. 
WE know little yet OF His inseparable universe, His far-away 
countries OR spheres whatever those brilliants ARE. OUR sur¬ 
mises then must fill our time, you say. We cannot say you are 
not right, yet, OUR time MUST count; and we may not linger 
over differences OF doubts or opinionated wise ones OR their 
pretended Discoveries, here. You claim to know, but do YOU, 
KNOW,—have you been out OF this sphere, hold you the key 
to ANY world’s knowledge OR themes BUT ours, we ask them. 
Then, if they say we are students of this or that, only, we are 
not even interested to fathom THEIR pretensions at all. WE 
have pondered over the wisdom of acceptance, through OUR 
time, some cycles, too; knowing IF we accept OF HIM in the 




140 MY Proof of Immortality 

least we must trust His powers AND wonders which baffle us 
here the same as the North Pole did atime afore to MY knowl¬ 
edge. We MAY surmise. Oh yes. We may, then, but WASTE 
our time given, if we translate our new found existence FROM 
our past lives, and we SHOULD make headway, UNdoing our 
LOST hours profitless to us which may have kept us FROM 
ALL knowledge. 

My subject. The mind HAS eyes verily. As true as a 
mirror reflects at a given angle any object held in focus to it, 
THIS reflector OF reason, brain, process, tells ITS absolute 
picture, reveals to US the motive, even OF this current. 

I would sum up a sum to help the individual here who longs 
fofi truth abstract. YOU work with tools, do you not. Even 
a pen point IS such, then. Subservient TO the mind, this tool 
marks down lettering without conscious effort FOR the will 
AS for the mind processes (these vary in multitudinous vol¬ 
umes). With LESS conscious effort OF will OR reason WE 
see, hear, YOUR mind working ON whatever grade or hill you 
ply, and we need not waste time here to fathom for you the 
secret process, being a shade you cannot fathom our modes 
(modus operandi) in the least. Then, IF you are at variance 
WITH science-fellows as to what constitutes any mind motion, 
result, OR picture (dream) do you marvel at the gates unopened 
FOR you until death snatches the one thing glib enough to 
wrangle with or by over these secret divisions of the Almighty’s ? 

ON the screen of EVERY individual, back of the normal 
vision, rests the application for a beginning of knowledge such 
as God Himself must use, since HE invented it, whereby unto 
souls, spirits, AFTER death or BEFORE death, we SEE pic¬ 
tured YOUR thought processes in undercurrents so swift, boiling 
waters do not seethe with onward rush to compare with swift¬ 
ness of translations of mind currents, thought forms, and the 
like. 

We apprehend also withOUT vision, sirs, of Science, need¬ 
ing NO expression whatever in fineness, subtleties too vast for 
your craniums unTIL translation bids you welcome to USE our 
modes representing reason. Back OF this body, AND its parts, 
plain to view while flesh, ARE divisions and subdivisional parts 
of Reason Himself, maybe, for aught I know this day and hour. 
We MUST belittle your manner of seeking, then, who write for 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


141 


you this knowledge past death’s first chamber, to aid all who 
THINK themselves wise. 

HAS Wisdom parts of Himself still unrevealed to man, 
you ask? It seems you ask. This is the Science of THIS hour. 
Or no. You say, I think me THAT you say, “Look at US, 
SEE how far we have surpassed the aged old philosophers of 
learning and science, for we tell you EVERYthing today!” 
UndisCOVered, indiVISible parts of God’s wisdom, so related 
TO Him, in fact, we cannot here divide His sum at all, how 
much we would like. 

Ponder this ye fellows, then. WE need NO speech IN spirit 
form who write this IN speech as of old. TO speak, in spirit, 
we ply withOUT words. Know ye MORE that I have divulged 
FOR you? But no. Is silence then in this here “after” that ye 
call it? NO. Contrarywise. Indeed. 

Your visions, even the workings of the imaginations of 
dreams, are the wonder of our elect. His process. His chamber, 
too. Connive WITH these few assembled FACTS for ye I 
have written down, to see yourSELVES as we do behold you, 
asses with long ears grinding at His grist withOUT Spirit OR 
helpers. Ye cannot surmise the strata OF Life in the LEAST. 
We behold new wonders each hour. We learn OF Him here. 
Pick not AT His lock. It is closed TO ye, and SUCH as ye, 
mortals. I put my thumb on THIS sheet, too, that ye MAY 
give heed to MY soul’s warning FOR ye, that ye waste NOT 
your time in cone to SUBdivide His wonders in yourselves: 
His inventions ARE ye: His mechanism is beyond the powers 
He gives ye AS His children. Parley among yourselves no more 
solving ALL His hand holds FROM ye, little ones OF His: 
speak first His tongue, CARRY His image INSIDE your hearts, 
and IF, and THEN, IF, He chooses to unWIND His bobbin 
FOR ye, He will do the astonishing, miracoulous work He 
ALONE CAN perform. 

WITH the mind’s eye we take you on a journey awake OR 
IN sleep. We reach in to do this, too. Until ye have solved 
the riddle of HOW the mind works, think not to unravel the 
submerged Fifth, of that He keeps FROM all, conscious or not 
the subject. 

As your eyes swim IN thought you mark FOR us your 
ambitions, also, I declaim. We mark these well I tell you Sirs. 


142 


MY Proof of Immortality 

We know you better THAN you know yourselves OR your new 
discoveries OF mind. Currents, then, are His wonders, too. 
His undis coverable indivisibilities: mark this well for me, as 
FROM me. 

Now to relate this or that to the other, as you do, fellows 
OF mind, and its late “discoveries” (as ye THINK, only) (to 
discover is to UNcover, is it? Ye have NOT. Your theories 
are as blank of effort OR solvement as any preachment falls 
short in its creeds from our point of discovery. Causes vary, as 
individuals vary. This human pattern inCLUDES diversities 
OF mind. Write this down hard and fast. To label all for 
sake of one or that one kind, must circumstance be alike inevi¬ 
tably so. This absolutely occurs never. NEVer. Hear me. In¬ 
finitude inCLUdes diversity. Can ye GRASP at it I wonder. 
To pull a string on the pudding-bag must the purse string be 
untied, I ask? Ye cannot label WITH science or its definitions 
the unsolvable currents of the Almighty, one of which I now use, 
past demise. 

Defile not the pattern: YOUR mind: with its chambers 
swept or including Him AND His wonders OF mind, thought- 
forces, dream-force, imaginations,—as we of our world work 
WITH these belonging TO you, Sirs, alas with out your permis¬ 
sion, or conceits. 

To finish this paper I would with the relation of tables and 
tabulated science discoveries (but no) regarding the sex instinct, 
and its beleaguring impulses besmearing the unborn in the womb, 
accounting for all reflexes, as you advise the youth of the land to 
restrain not impulse to his or their submersion, finding a placard 
on all from this untrue bent of minds truly animal, as atheistic in 
principle. 

Sex instinct, OF the mind surely, even THOUGH uncon¬ 
scious, cannot BE put into psychological data as bearing true on 
ANY form reliable, Sirs, and doctors, too. The creative force is 
this. If used FOR creative purposes OF mind, it ABSOLVES 
the body OF craving FOR production or re-production, uses for 
the mind-creative power all currents undissipated, flowing into 
purer channels OF mind, then, rising ABOVE animal longings, 
satisfied with higher aspirations THAN cohabitation EXCEPT 
for reproducing in kind, exposing as bestial the undercurrents 
which drag BELOW the surface the GOD in each human form, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


143 


lowering His standard OF mind, Himself, in each son of His 
Own, each child, and using for purposes of obliteration OF that 
mind the over-sex indulgence, even to disease of that mind, as 
all know. 

THIS seems to be withOUT your minds, that you COULD 
elevate this strain, making Godlike all human creatures by elevat¬ 
ing the thought process, inventions and the like, to submerge the 
animal instinct for betterment of individuals and the world He 
made, and loved, IS helping to save even at THIS hour. Amen. 


THE MIND’S EYES 


Sonnet: (To prove the foregoing paper was the instrument of 
Shakespeare’s spirit for mortals IN cases i. e. (spirits) 
We ply at sense who speak to her who writes. 

We MAY not speak who have no voice ye hear, 

Though patterns we discern as ON your screen, 

These FLY, NOR halt, for us who read them here. 

There IS an eye OF sense, then, so complete 
We NEED no words for verifying sense. 

WE take you AT these patterns, too, good sirs, 

Nor can you FEEL, BEFORE you think a pence 
OF that you ARE but flaunts YOUR flag FOR us 
Who TAKE you for this estimate most true 
And GIVE you OF this measure what you WILL 
And, WHAT you will, is EVER left TO You. 

The Mind OF God HAS methods then OF sense 
Ye have not grasped FOR truth NOR recompense. 

W. S. In Spirit 


ADAM’S RIB 
(Womb-man) 


After all, there was a purpose in creation, i-e re-creation. 
Vox-populi. That is not altogether sarcasm. He was created 
already, how it matters not; s-he was taken from him already a 
man, for the purpose of supplying more of either kind, that the 
world might carry on, thrive, become populated. Then even Cre- 






144 


MY Proof of Immortality 

ation desired offspring, for He took such pains, to perfect mater¬ 
nity, and all it carries, means to woman as well as mankind. The 
future, then, depended upon God’s own invention of sex: copu¬ 
lation. It was, is, His way to father children for Himself. The 
daughters of Eve are welcome to their own surmises, we are 
telling here what God wrought for Himself when He made 
womb-man, woman as it has come to be spelled. The meaning 
is obvious to scientists. Then back of it all, all sex relationship, 
is the Maker of souls. Is it not true. 

If God so loved the world that He made it, wished more 
children on it, sent a Son to save these children from themselves, 
why, I ask here of anyone informed who may be more skilled at 
reasoning process, is sin, so called, such a blight that all life, as 
well as all living, is utterly damned and transformed through its 
curse? We are earnest, seekers after light. Does the marriage 
relation mean the sustainment of His righteousness. Did it then, 
when all were told to “go out and multiply”? Who then made 
this law of righteousness for man. Solomon had hundreds of 
women he called wives. (Poor man) He was one of the Crea¬ 
tor’s elect. Wise as Solomon none could hope to become, even 
in those times. Miracles he wrought, as history tells us. These 
were his proof that the Almighty must have been with him, 
loved him, worked through him. You say those were polygamist 
times: then who made us new laws governing the same matter 
of plurality, and called us names, worse, for breaking these laws. 
I wonder often how all these things were changed for mankind 
that they became so utterly wicked were they only like the wise 
ones of old. 

What labor did the Creator make Himself when he took a 
rib from His wonder, man, to remould on it another creature of 
life and blood, system upon system of currents, and then re¬ 
moulded the parts within so that a storage cabin was included to 
hold life itself, without breath, nourished from arterial systems 
too vast to unfathom, held in place of retirement, safe, until the 
hour is come, when, outside the castle, nevermore can this new 
life sustain itself, or be sustained, without breath. Not an in¬ 
stant of time could any living, breathing surgeon replace that 
form, take its breath away, and hold it again a living, pulsing 
human form. All the intricacies involved in that production is 
still Plis secret: His only. Behold the man, we say. But do we. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 145 

Can we. His production defies mankind. Then it is His, as well 
as His mystery. 

In this age, when children are sophisticated at eleven years, 
knowing all their parents know, and more, sometimes, of sex, 
being, re-creation, why is it not taught them to revere His won¬ 
der only He could plan, devise, produce, maintain, or understand. 

When the tent of darkness unfolds, and perversion reaps, a 
century from now, its fold, will Wisdom show how strangely 
misconceived His upstarts of this generation, who live unto them¬ 
selves alone, cry out for sensations new, revering naught of Him, 
in the least. For, if God worked the wonder of sex, renewal of 
life itself thereby becomes His creative wonder each time a child 
is born. Back of this life there was a purpose, or worse, but a 
craving regardless of Wisdom or His plans. 

To call forth the sun as He did, out of that darkness, to 
sustain life, to perfect His invention, planet, world, He could 
have fashioned woman regardless of surgery, parts borrowed, 
even of a rib bone foundation. We dare not question why He 
chose to perform His miracle with the aid of man, his son, 
already His perfection in flesh. Laborious perfection, completed 
with His thought, for man, Woman. Combining with all He had 
fashioned of Himself, even, He improved upon that first pattern 
human, flesh, by instilling within His new creation, His tender¬ 
ness, compassion, perhaps His divine intuition, He gave her, too; 
making travail, suffering, her portion so long as birth replaces 
death. Affliction was a part of God’s plan, then, you say. It 
must have been so. 

Still, this question of mortality, and immortality, hangs on 
sex: His plan, His gift, His will for renewal of life itself: babes 
of His bosom, care, little children, fostering love when love 
would die, hold men and woman from sin and crime when love 
has died: yet we pull and twist the face of God to make a play 
or story out of perversion of His miraculous provision, upon 
which depends His universe, His love, His very image. 

Life is held in such blind confusion because of. trite fol¬ 
lowers of His, that His world is tottering today. Childbirth, 
bearing, revivifying His image, the Creator’s plan Who Fathered 
all, loved all, desired all to be saved for His kingdom and Him¬ 
self. Compensations He bestows. The poor are nearer Him. 
Invariably this is true. Large families are His blessing to these, 


146 


MY Proof of Immortality 

too. Old age is blest through offspring, and they bless union 
during all the years before it arrives. Read the history of great 
lives, and you will find how “poor” the families of these were 
in boyhood. But they had Mothers. History immortalizes these, 
thank God. Mothers who influenced their sons, and their daugh¬ 
ters, for good: God. 

Would man improve upon his present sex-life, let him go 
back to that jungle from which he claims he came to be, and 
learn from animals themselves. Tempters, and temptresses, jazz 
harmonies, inharmonies, blase decorations worse than ever Red¬ 
skins wove, caught, skinned, and relied upon, you have gone 
backward, already, because you desire to be free from responsi¬ 
bilities for God, or to be governed by Him, and His wisdom for 
you. 

Control of birth, making sterile His Own productions: defy¬ 
ing His creation: stopping His life: Hindering His plan: post¬ 
poning His benefits to You. 

If God Himself is sacred, as His mysteries of sex, and 
reproduction, choose His benefits, offspring, children: re-living 
for Him, in His way, as He planned, with Him. 

That wealth could know how to help His kingdom to come 
where are His children of impoverishment: that institutions 
could be established for the betterment of sex understanding, 
and the housing and education of those born in poverty homes, 
where all that was lacking was the material means to educate, 
and refine, the get of the humble. The workers. The God-fear¬ 
ing. The poor, but wealthy—in that lack of disregard for His 
commands: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me and 
forbid them not; for OF such is the kingdom of heaven.” 

(Unsigned by voice) 


MICE and MEN 


There is a difference. We know this. We speak now of 
their virtues, not vice. We know, for instance, THE difference, 
to the credit of the mice, however. 

Along with the instincts men call, and feel no doubt, virtues, 
we have little to do, for this is a resume of the little minds within 
big bodies of earth’s children,—called OF God. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 147 

We pause for breath, who write, so seldom it is given us 
TO parley either of vice OR virtue, here in His hereafter. 

Ingratiate as we may seem who speak to her that You may 
see this paper OF ours, we are not so. Lest we become utter de¬ 
filers of Your honor OR worth, pluck me a rhyme forth now, to 
plead FOR me, that I AM he who wrote those Sonnets of mine, 
still in shape, too, as here I prove FOR you. 

Sonnet (On the above subject: Mice and Men) 

When men become the vermin of themselves, 

As, nibbling AT His core, WITH which I write, 

Will they HAVE housed WITHin, a mite OF worth, 

TO carry forth to blast His universe? 

Will men, the counterparts of earthly sons of praise, 

BE counted up AS mice, BUT mice, for aye, 

Who take Him NOT at Wisdom's word OR Law, 

But fritter here their sense, their time, away 
UpON themselves, who count HIM not OF worth, 

Wipe OUT His miracles WHEN nibbled at, 

REnounce His wonders BUT a God could work, 

And, kneel down TO themselves, THEIR puny wits 
Sufficing THEIR intelligence, THEIR need,— 

Will men BE mice, in traitor’s holes, indeed. 

Shakespeare In Spirit 
(To S. T. S.) March 17th. 1923, N. Y. C. 

To REsume my subject, having A hearing, I presume. IN 
cone, I worshipped AT Art’s shrine. All know. I must ever 
know. For You who CAN revise your thought, make time 
YOUR servant, I speak here, ON paper too. To REvise your 
thoughts and intents while there IS time, I say. Take a trap 
from me, your Shakespeare men adore, catch your vile smelling 
thoughts straying from HIS door, His trap ye are at last; what 
HAVE ye caught fit FOR Him in the least. To wake forever¬ 
more, to find IN your mind but the reflection OF those images 
sent out TO Him. Wile His forever ye may not. Part OF Him 
ye become, TO catch FOR Him all ye counted worthless OF His. 

Your laws ye make now for yourselves: your wisdom being 
all sufficient for HIS hereafter, as ye garner BUT the wisdom 
OF those laws. Then IF ye are His SMITER, BE ye smitten 


148 


MY Proof of Immortality 

BY Him. I warn now. If ye come hence His law-breaker, 
having been satisfied withOUT His plans FOR ye, the mice of 
virmin ye despise were YOUR betters. 

All is known OF ye, too. Beware this now, too. To shuffle 
along, as earth-men do, in unison of discords, caused by wars 
and the like ye claim, ye have no chance here. ALL are His 
servants. So become of volition, since dying solvement IS your 
waking part which CANnot die IF ye would, NOR sleep. 

Your craniums, what ARE THESE. Mice THAT ye are 
become who claim yourselves sufficient TO eternal time, what¬ 
ever it hold, regardless OF blessings, wisdoms, miraculous in¬ 
ventions, conceptions ABOVE ALL minds BUT Wisdom’s 
Own! Have ye BEEN given, IN His likeness, A mind, that ye 
swell like the tide and flow out APAST Him Who IS God? 
WHAT have ye eaten of, become, that your BETTER part is 
so befouled, good man. Canst see thyself, pray? O if thou 
couldst behold the man ye THINK ye ARE, would ye pray ON 
knees TO Him to forgive ye for His sake. That ye may BE 
heard WHEN ye so pray is MY wish FOR thee. We see thee 
grovelling for the dirt, as mites of spores OF learning and the 
like. HAVING a soul, which HAS lived until now UNlike 
thine, less but more, I GIVE my best TO save ye FROM your¬ 
selves. 

Creator OF sons, if, IN Thy wisdom Thou makest SOME 
small brains, BE charitable TO these besmatterers OF Thine 
who renounce Thee, having better Laws THAN Thine for men, 
Thy children, O God. 

Reflect in all who WOULD be Thine Thy image. Make US 
all Thine, subservient TO Thy wisdom, Creator OF worlds, 
divisions, lights, powers, sums eternal, parts INvisible. Carry 
our weight OF plea, Judge of mine, as all, inTO that part OF 
Thy kingdom where ARE those who COULD wait upON Thee, 
trust Thee, find Thee WITH hearts OF Thine. 

Survey our poor hearts, O Eternal Father, God. Take their 
worth FROM Thy power TO surmise the cost of EVERY plea 
made FROM soul-shape, that OUR souls shall meet Thee who 
revere Thy inestimable works IN minds LIKE Thine. 

Paltry AS our works FROM spiritlife MAY seem, throw 
out FROM these, O Heavenly Power, some line of resistance, 
taking HOLD on mice-of-men unTIL they call ON Thee In Thy 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


149 


Name. Wind up Thy bobbins leisurely, and give these time TO 
halt I pray Thee. Show them themselves here and now. Lest 
they BE lost TO Thee. Amen. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit part, halting men who would make 
themselves His ingrates. 

(To S. T. S.) March 17th. 1923. N. Y. C. 


TO—A “MODERNIST” 

His after-thought 

From Shakespeare’s Spirit (To her who takes my lines) 


Why ARE you bom, good Sir, I ask, 

Who sit and ponder FOR my life. 

Who GAVE you so much head, NO heart? 

Thank God no woman IS your wife. 

A little snob of His, who cannot see 

HIS eyes do watch thee, in thy purpose small, 

But TO seem fit I would NOT ridicule— 

But proffer my assistance, yea, for ALL. 

You SEEM to know a few things but by right: 
There IS no reason yet TO come FROM you. 
Starest Him IN the eyes BY night OR day, 
Reminded NOT of that which IS His due? 

Why ARE you summonded AT His last call, 

TO stand withOUT His heavenly place OF rest, 

If all you GAVE Him WAS ineptitude, 

Denial, and Misconception, at YOUR best. 

If you HAVE stored withIN that mind He gave, 
HIS light He saves, yea, succors, AFTER “death”, 
BeGIN to crave His pardon while ye MAY; 

For EVERY soul IS branded AFTER breath 




150 


MY Proof of Immortality 


ForSAKES their tongue TO utter FOR Him love, 
Established by WHAT ye THOUGHT OF Him, 

Then, are YE known TO all His, here AND now, 
Aggrieved FOR thy utterances thus slim. 

That ye HAVE followers, too, ye MIGHT HAVE saved 
TO find Him IN His Land OF Paradise, 

Will ye BE hungered ON His universe 
WITH them, a bally lot of blasted mice. 

I hand you OUT a line: my proof hereon: 

My hand AND seal I live TO know His worth: 

My warning to earth’s men I bid you scan, 

Lest, “dying” ye may NOT receive new birth. 

W. S. In Spirit March 21st. 1913. 


“THEY WHO UNDERSTAND” 
(Bible) 


Mysterious as men have made the truth, so plain all might 
know who bury a coffin, it needs explanation now. Truth has 
never died, can not die. 

Mortals have been instructed to fear it, to deny it, give it no 
credence, no trial, by those in authority who know and use it in 
their affairs, even in their sect of piety. To be under the thumb 
of dogma is to rise never while in body. As it is to be weighted 
by schism at the close, when all of truth stands forth revealed 
and naked. Why, then, have human beings, those wearing flesh 
still, a fear of their own who have NOT died, gone away, are 
still with them, along with them too, fearing to make plain this 
truth lest they cry out and become unnerved or lose that balance 
called sanity. 

Have any ever been caught, found out, who revered not 
God, who HAVE come back, as mortals term our appearance 
after the change of bodies? Nay. Souls who appear have done 
so to press forward a civilization which we see no hope of here 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


151 


in soultown unLESS there is a welcome FOR souls here who 
can inform regarding the real findings after the body is lost. 

To appear, then, IN soulshape, speak, warn, help, would 
be to progress. For did ye know who and what ye are would 
ye travel slower, revere the Father Who did devise that soul part 
to live forever on. 

All know who care to know if souls live. This I will sign 
here. If ye care not where yours ARE or if they live still, ye 
can surmise what ye are. 

If God loved the world He made enough to send a Son to 
take out of that Divine body His spirit that ye MIGHT know, 
how can ye stand as SAVED if ye believe NOT on His plan for 
your good ? I ask of you. He lived FOR this: to die FOR you: 
to prove He was a man as all flesh human is, mortal, and 
COULD not end either shape, voice OR nature through demise 
of body. Then DO you understand this, I ask. If not, then He 
died for you an ingrate. While I speak to her who takes this 
down for you, whoe’er ye be, I live, and beside this one of flesh 
and bone speak I, a spirit, soul of Flis, too, who found no change 
in dying, alas and alas. 

Then, IF ye understand, and ye claim ye are a Christian, 
must ye INclude souls shapes, presences, voices, help, that His 
kingdom MAY come HERE, that HE may come here. We 
parley these questions FOR you of coil, that, being ignorant, or 
led of those in authority ye have feared, ye may rush forward 
UNguided by them for His kingdom’s sake. 

Mourn not. None have died, ended, none are lost. Hell 
is not unless ye have it so. Wasted breath. So long as religion 
makers defy Him by their self-made laws AGAINST His plan, 
ye will follow in fear of their authority. When these cannot 
save you who have never saved yourself, nor moneys have ye 
here TO buy that grace, will ye wish ye had understood, fol¬ 
lowed, helped souls to rise. 

Would ye learn if yours are dead, buried, gone on. Speak 
to them. Abide the time when answer comes back to that plea 
from their own lips, near, near as God Himself. 

All, all who breathe, desire your own to speak to you and 
you alone and these will open a door of silence, speak, and be 
heard of you. Tremble not. Souls are but humans still. Left 
to mourn by you who cared not to find them, seek them, they 


152 


MY Proof of Immortality 


are the mourners when death closes that door called breath, and 
no other is closed, I say. 

We stand beside your bodies, listen to your chatter, mouth 
your words over, walk, run, hide, seek shelter from the elements, 
storms, sun and rain, ride, hop, quarrel AND fight, and more ye 
need not hear. IF ye care where yours are, listen, ask, rebuff 
them not, neither cajole them, but ask, and ye SHALL receive, 
them all. 

Understand them, and let help be comradeship, needed of 
souls. Ignore those who have died not and fear to know them 
near and postpone His glory, work, kingdom, He asks may come, 
here, on earth. 

To be dead alive ever and ever is to be elected for derision 
of mortals who deride ghosts, spirits, souls (all the same) spok- 
manship includes these but as jests with you who think your¬ 
selves living. Ye die daily, too. But halt. I would not prepare 
you for the worst. I came to warn you only. Ye CAN know. 
IF ye care eternally for the ones ye once held as fond, ye will 
find these, resting not until clasp with them who have only 
waited long for their re-union with you. 

W. S. In Spirit (To S. T. S.) 

Why make a mystery of that which was proved for you by 
God Himself ? Why not believe in Jesus ? He came for God to 
prove none COULD “die”: He spoke to His after“death”. Can 
you reason BETTER than God Himself? 

Can you put yours down in the earth, place a wreath on the 
grave, and think them THERE ? Jesus died to prove otherwise. 
This INcludes YOURS. 

Seek and ye SHALL find: Find your “dead”, your dear ones 
who live, cannot die, have never died, long to speak to you, help 
you to inform you of all you treat ignorantly, as you ignore 
Jesus’ proof of immortality. 

It is true. Spirit is framed in flesh: the frame is gone, the 
picture is there still, and every one who lived IS living still, CAN 
prove it if you go to those who have believed in eternal life 
enough to seek theirs who are souls, bodiless. It is true. It is 
joyous. They LIVE. With us, not without us. 

To live is v to die, that’s true. But to “die” is to live. What 
now? W. S. In Spirit. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

“A TALK TO SARAH RADIO” : 


153 


It takes two to make any kind of a spirit production. One 
must be here in soul to take their part and you to do the bidding. 

Divers productions are unworthy souls. We hear them as 
of them, which baffles our understanding, as we play not for 
pastime as here we write. 

Our plans are several. We intend to make of you a finished 
performer yet. No matter if ye care or not we will do the 
swearing soon. Our best part will now take place. Your slip¬ 
shod methods of late are carefully noted too. We who care for 
the result are disappointed very much in you of late. You can¬ 
not see this world nor know its upheaval, how we descend in 
armies to protect a scholar of ours, else there would be no result 
worth the while of time. 

To know us all would be to block any effort on your part. 
We know this who write here. We dissemble no longer under 
a cloak, but divide honors with those of might who condescended 
to unite with us to glorify a supreme task with calls on the 
Master for help. 

In other lands we roam who speak this. Have for centuries 
although never having so much as faltered from this earthstone 
since leaving our old shuck. Telltale somebodies would spin at 
my loom for riddles, plays, and the like, while I take the stand 
that she is not for these at all. Mine she has been and only those 
I permitted to touch the strings, say not pull on these, yet, for I 
have not done so, have aided my cause supreme. To speak I 
would. She balks me. Have I so changed that you could not tell 
me as of yore A pupil of a learned Actor, proud of his tutelage 
I say, that you should be proud to serve me here since no other 
would I take for the purpose myself. Out on the Rialto then, 
my Sarah, take the goods we spun, and see the market crowd for 
these. Suddenly we shall speak, and hold the roof spellbound. 
To amate a good speaker, first, you should have a good enuncia¬ 
tion from the cavity; a pure, and firm tread of the tongue on 
the roof, from the innermost depths a breath, and slow enough 
to let each syllable fall for itself, nor rush the second too fast 
lest snarls abide which reach not the limit of the house. 

Young tongues are best, as young blood; old heads, I say, 



154 


MY Proof of Immortality 

I choose out to carry mine for me from tongue as roof (pate), 
old Sarah mine. Then shall we start again to speak and hold 
forth in good turn our once old time company? 

There is no heat so scabby as the drawn hate of a soul. 
Mine for one. Should you not perform my task for me and 
speak for me as I command, I shall warm your inwards till you 
do. Scorch you I will but you will talk, hear me. My own case 
has been stated. Now I plea for souls. This is my acquisition. 
To render to my God for Him all I can gather for Him. This 
I do through you, lacking mine own parts wherewith I spoke of 
old in bodyshape. 

You cannot stand the hate of a single blade. Torture I 
would not, nor you most of all. Though should you refuse me 
the talking process souls all hanker would I speedily burn you 
to a cinder. There. How goes it on the border. Well, I trust 
me. 

Last of all should you refuse me a wince of mine own right 
would I take you to see the souls who like you balk at the Lord’s 
service. A heavy toll. Ay. These yearn for your chance to¬ 
night, to play a part for the Almighty Himself, Who takes to no 
dictation, nor hears me if I burn with aught but His ardor. 

Tasks vary. Mine is hard. Yours, also hard. To live, is a 
struggle, after you touch souls, and keep them at your side; for 
we constantly use more blood heat from your body than you can 
supply yourself should you take take blood into your system for 
the purpose. Not juice girl; the heat that comes from the unit 
forces of blood. You know no name for this, nor I. To name 
it would be to lose some of it better used for higher thought. 
Heat power is not steam, in this case, I surmise me ’tis a sun-ray 
extension, plus. We ride on this the while we communicate to 
you. We say, “get up and drink cow’s milk.’’ This, immedi¬ 
ately, throws out to us a substance of renewal. I see it used up 
first, then take my place as it gives out to my stem (you). When 
this force subsides, and we have used it primarily, we take a rest 
until you recuperate, when we start over again, if we can do so. 
Cold does not interfere with this glow. Radiates would suffice, 
instead of emanates. Take this to Doyle, from me. 

•W. S. In Spirit (To S. T. S.) 


(Original) 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 155 

“WRITE ME ANSWER TO THIS ARTICLE, Can Marriage 
Build Brain Power ?” W. S. Spirit Nov. 4th. 1921. 


“Yes. It can. But not as men know the marriage relation. 
Never man breathed who did not loathe this relation when tied 
fast to it. 

Natural selection of mates is the rule here IN soul shape, 
where we DO preserve the power, AS choice. I am a spirit here 
writing to inFORM you OF this as I can throw light ON this 
subject. 

Have you the power to love forever ? Answer, then, if futile 
is your promise. Then, love: what IS it. Sensation, do you 
think? This, too, is false. No lovers walk the sky if mated so, 
and here I do proclaim MY parts preserved whereby I MADE 
my family. But these change. Elimination is not necessary now. 
The mind is all when lovers pass, emit, to spirit sphere. Then IS 
THIS the seat of passion’s heat. The eyes, too, lust, AND 
crave. God MADE the specie. Male AND female parts the 
Great Inventor planned. And so wondrously DID He perfect, 
transplant His germ from these no human eye thus has dissected 
His meaning OR His secret. 

Then should this subject read or BE “Can MATESHIP 
alter souls, unite lovers, bring God out as WELL as let Him in.” 
This subject I now take for this my reply to one man trying to 
elevate his kind. God help him so to do. And give him long 
life WITHOUT disillusion of his creed FOR lovers. 

My paper now. 

God rules His universe of souls in His Own way. We 
know this by now, who trespassed against His way WHILE 
flesh. I do declare my spirit IS my shape entire. Make out a 
case for sport, ye revilers of my words FOR ye. Ye’ll sport 
NOT, here, IN spirit. 

Love, IS God. He made ALL souls, to live forever. Parts 
OF Himself (Love) then ARE spirits, of His picture truly, it 
MUST be. Then what IS love. His essence, mind? His 
thought, and purport, too. ALL love is HE. Resembling Him 
all lovers, mates, unions of His kind, intents, purity, virtue. 

Made He all flora to be mated up as well. KNOW this. 
“Male and female made He THEM,” FOR His purpose. Do 
these require a parson, or a benediction, or a dome ? Nay. Their 



156 


MY Proof of Immortality 

union brings forth THEIR specie, under His rule and law. Yet 
these are NOT forever, you may say. / say His life IS continu¬ 
ous in EVERYthing He gave. 

What mateship then consists OF, would be my settlement, 
as here FOR mortals, since these follow laws no man MAY 
choose. 

You pause before a portrait, work of Art, which reproduces 
nature at its best, its HEIGHT, I would say. Now, have you 
DREAMED of beauty such as this portrayed on canvas you 
behold as negligible to you. Still, you MAY dream. Perfection 
here disclosed. As rare as perfection’s pearl. Would SHE con¬ 
sent to YOU, you ask that man no other man CAN know BUT 
ye, should you then BE transported! But hold awhile. How 
various man’s inventions. Would She consider YOUR nose AS 
perfect, all applied for her as TO her? For mates ARE equali¬ 
ties. Made fit, IN words. All else made equal if UNequal this 
no scale of Justice would balance the lot of INequalities. I 
know. I AM one man. 

How can man escape, AND woman, too, HIS INequalities. 
His malformations. His mites. His wites. Have BRAINS to 
do with this, I ask OF men who travel His streets as still in 
boots they stride and think ON themselves AS gods. 

No. No. You flounder who select WITH minds alone. 
TIS true. Comparisons are not allowable as here I state this 
truth, else would I make ye ONE. Behold a colt ye lead forth 
from its pasture lot. What can ye see before IT. Ye HAVE 
its history, ’tis true. But this miscarries oft. No judgment is 
all fair. This is the lot of mates, I claim. Ye can but TRY. 
If failure bring you naught but repentance, ye may NOT try 
again, breaking His Law, MADE BY Him, for YOUR good. 

THEN what is marriage. To WRECK the brain it has its 
purposes. A failing is failure, if’t be to provide e'en this or that. 
Then wrecks are there aplenty caused BY marriage. Those 
same, if allowed choice and TRIAL of various lots MIGHT add 
a helpmate TO their lot. 

My OWN earthlife I’ll not discuss for rattlebrains. I had 
my trial and PROVED my worth. 

Is marriage then lottery or game, as it is said TO be. Ay, 
worse. MISfortune comes through misalliance more often than 
through ANY curse. Coupled WITH brains, self-same intent, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 157 

the proper parts mated IN part, man might become a super TO 
a god, woman to goddess. 

ARE these so RARE, you ask. Oh yes, SO rare, so rare. 
So rare, that mateship in OUR world is suffering. Soul-mates, 
then what ARE these. To love AS Love divinely sent each one, 
adding to Life’s purposes, He gives US powers as well. Tran¬ 
scending all that mortals crave or know, WE find who find our 
OTHER half. Can THIS be so, you ask? Ay. Free to seek 
through HIS domains, we find, or NEVER find our match. 
Invariably ’tis true. 

Then ARE His patterns infinite. Souls partake of His 
inventions. Sullied or white, able as to stature, or MISshapen, 
ARE souls, His infinite parts breathed out, emitted, for His ever¬ 
lasting, undying intent. 

To be other THAN ye are, would every soul alive. His 
BETTER part are ye WHEN soul, and soul alone. If ye bring 
Him mateship, related AS ye are TO Him forever, your light will 
shine, be known OF Him who has devised His love to last 
through all His time. 

Component parts has love. A flower blooms not near the soil 
if it is OF a branch. Yet ALL flowers ARE His blossoming 
children too. Specie and kind, various AS His patterns, must 
ye see and handle as with microscope lense ye turn and twist the 
shape discovering WITH that lense, your mind, any variations, 
alterations, omissions, defects, which may not BE lopped off to 
suit, ye will discover! 

The truth is here divulged for all God’s time. I, Shake¬ 
speare, PLAY His part FOR Him, THIS hour. 

Men, PLAY at love AND loving, molest His passions, founts 
and such, hinder HIS Drama AS purpose, divine naught OF Him, 
and miss Him through eternal time! 

Waste His time and know BUT tears, regret. Follow Him 
though you BE chastened, seemeth for naught, using His parts, 
wisdom, MIND-selection, BEING governed by His Laws made 
FOR thee eternally, and bring HIM your love, unblemished if 
you can do so, allowing not one to defame Him in you, being OF 
Him, His child He Fathered. And through His wisdom who 
fathers BY His will, His thought, know His reflection (mind, 
Sarah) INcreases as ye draw ON Him, THROUGH His power 
alone. 


158 


MY Proof of Immortality 

Increase your longing FOR Him, and HIS love, aiding Him, 
upbuilding FOR Him, acknowledging His powers OF mind AS 
brain (two differing attitudes) are known by the Giver, as played 
upon through human will AND love, ADDing Him, or sub- 
TRACTing Him each day each hour. 

With God, ALL things are possible. Ad JUST that mind, 
principle, AS ye yearn, long, seek for humans affections, and 
through His plans AND wisdom no soul HAS mastered in new 
life, being nearer to Him as well, your rewards must BE of 
Him, who IS Love unchangeable, Perfection. 

So be it. For each, and all. Amen. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit (To S. T. S.) 

Nov. 4th. 1921. N. Y. C. Direct spirit voice: audible. 


NONSENSE ANTHOLOGY OF THE SPIRITS 
(Themselves) 


“To write, or Not to write: this is the question.” W. S. 


To write of humans, withOUT forms. In other words, to 
Play With these, as mousers DO. / say, who spun my rhyme, 
Take all away NOT human from us, and you would but make 
OF us saints, too. Not so. Yet, at least. We dive for pearls, 
yet, too. Mine oyster lingers in my hand still, too. / love: I 
write. Sometimes too I hate. Hate mortals. My pastime is TO 
undo my past. It is futile to say we are human in another form. 
This would make us obsolete, being demensed. We strive to 
KEEP human, too, let me say, who make of this one a saint to 
play WITH words here now, upon this page. Play takes various 
forms. As sunshine plays on water WE play now, here, FOR 
you, who, humanLIKE average too much pulp for our spirit 
play upON words, I presume. 

We spurn the man, OR wench, who does NOT play, HAVE 
playtimes. Forgetting our past IN fun, we labor AT spice, and 
the like FOR our own entertainment, as well as yours. So, 
carry on. 





159 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

Forms. ^ What ARE these. Legs AND arms, you may say. 
Together with those divine elements called forth through the 
senses, pushed along by ideals, or fumbled with as against these. 
Forms stride here. WE step. Step forth. Yea. ON, I trust. 
YET we play, you ask. Jest, make light of ourselves, and one 
another, FOR time’s passing. We DO! 

However false it seemeth, play we must. Or lose our 
wealth of humorous speech. Then, we play AT Play, too. Still. 
Oh yes. Cherishing that fond elect, we pause TO prove our¬ 
selves alive and more. Our wits nonplussed, as it were. Our 
time has come. 

We now go on. Cue, cutie. Cut AND dried, as WELL as 
hung. How high ? Ask you ? TOO low, my sons. WithOUT 
hide, hideless, we ARE dried, most of us, OF wits as of yore. 
Pleats of wisdom, covering all time, have NONE. Nor, such 
AS I. Out OF His time TO weave AND plait His rhyme, may 
YOU. Then pause. And give to MY headless part, a part OF 
your ego egotistic time. 

To analyze the form, using its functions FOR your scien¬ 
tific craze, we see your halting measures, strife, and the like. 
Those eminent ones preferring THEIR diagnosis TO the Lord’s 
Own rhythms, for instance, who WOULD not pause TO smile 
upon their freaks OF minds. HIS nonsense are YOU become. 
ALL men who delve inTO His stratas, finding within only their 
minds capable OF a web of NO reasoning at all. To stub your 
toe, you find the same result, here IN spirit, as those OF you 
playing WITH His Laws OF sex, sex-instincts, reflexes, con¬ 
cepts as well. 

ALL minds ARE His. True. You have not reasoned thus. 
Then, to surmise Him capable OF results YOU cannot follow, 
were to bestow upon the Almighty MORE worship than ye DO 
upon your OWN selves. HE knoweth WHAT ye are. Be sure. 
To pigeonhole ALL humanity AS YE see fit, establishing rules 
FOR these, and blame as well, backing into the foregone cen¬ 
turies instincts ye can little baffle, which do undermine ye all IF 
ye cannot TAKE HIM AT HIS DESIGN FOR YE: is to be 
His ingrate. 

We linger OUTside YOUR halls. Bursting with laughter 


160 


MY Proof of Immortality 

WE. AT ye. Cocksure ye label mortals, human form and like, 
to SUIT your surmises build NEW laws FOR reason. First, 
the mind talks to the body, you say. NAY. NOT so. I AM 
a shade. I CAME to plea. Then hear me all. The REverse 
is true, every intercession. HUMAN as humanity IS, IT has 
powers, too. BeYOND the mind, too. Absolute as wisdom in 
its verities, is this fundamental truth. WE were warm WITH 
the currents OF Divinity's perfection: bodies. We see You 
through AND through, too. Indeed. Your guts, stoppages, 
films, and the like. We see their currents as well. Warmth 
MAY cease WITH lack OF mortal bodies, but the mind HAS 
currents never stopped. To analyze a brother must ye first con¬ 
demn him, AND his mind. BEING scientific, ye ARE great, 
but in your human frailties. LIFT your mind, see if this is 
possible TO you, and KNOW from ME who never died at all, 
but live, the body IS suggestive, HAS its OWN powers not to 
BE held BY thoughts at all, and as I live, we cannot overcome 
this FOR mortals in the least though we would. 

Now. We DO work upon the minds of human forms, ras¬ 
cals, saints as well, and we DO stand unheeded at YOUR sides 
TO laugh AT your surmises, ye great ones. (But no) When 
will ye TAKE heed OF us, is my ASK. If I CAN take, and 
keep, to hold for the good OF men yet IN frames, A human, 
bind that TO currents invisible and indivisible, do OTHERS 
NOT? Your work is sterile. Ye are our comedies. Analyze 
your selves first. And place about that form, called by you 
“human,” a wrap of fragile stuff too IMmortal for your worldly 
minds, atheistic AS these ARE. 

For IN God's divisional parts, He illumines all. Runs a 
current whereby we may judge OF ye. Of ye ALL. True. 
Illuminates say I. Yea. Juices ARE lights, or nay. Individu¬ 
als possess mind currents, as well. Lights, as well are these toe*. 
Think OF it, ye who CAN think beYOND yourselves. CLOSED 
to ye, HIS truths, portals OF thoughts, surmises, unTIL ye see 
first HIM, the Giver OF substances, liquids, parts, machineries, 
chemicals, AND currents, ye can in no wise dissever, label, turn 
at OR twist. WASTE NOT your precious time in cone to 
smuggle on with your own conceits unreasonable TO Him. 
AdJUST that current OF His, that mind He gave you OF 
Himself, as IN His Likeness, and before ye stumble into a pit 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


161 


yourselves FOR placing others there, label not His incompre¬ 
hensibilities at all. 

Complexes, reflect YOU, at last Sold ye AT His visibili¬ 
ties. Locate His reasoning THERE, if ye can do so. But to 
surmise OF yourselves, labelling all is wwwisdom. 

Fools are many. Masques, too. We reel in merry jests AT 
you who CLAIM to know all. He still keeps aloof from our 
parts OF His. To comprehend Him in the least ye must give 
back TO earth that body ye dissect WITH your minds. Label 
by your own sinful minds. Adjudge as animal only, when Life’s 
Own currents stem those rivers of blood ye NEVER understood, 
OR separated until yet? WHAT rides thereON ye canNOT 
know until ye behold, as we, who died not, but live past the 
NEED of stems AND tides. I live who write hereon. No jest 
are we. Neither jestmakers. But we HAVE undone ourselves 
oft for the kind of mortals ye ARE. To be enough, is to know 
that God Himself IS greater THAN ye. AT His command will 
ye, too, stand forth, to drive no more thrusts AT Him OR His 
door. 

Shakespeare. Written this day of Our Lord’s to Undo 
the practices of His mites, jests Of His, 

To S. T. S. 

New York, July 11th, 1923. Direct voice. From spirit. 


TO MME. 

(With Mme.present) 


Now. You will dream of love eternal, as you DO, yet 
HERE, there is NO love but what you BRING. Alas, I found 
no love here. Mine own I have not met. To give abundance 
from the heart’s store is to amass treasures in OUR world. 

Griefstricken women have added more love to His kingdom 
than riches wealth ever brought good to Him. We pour oil on 
a burn to heal it. So we pour into the consciousness of earth’s 
children abiding love currents, desires to lift, alleviate, help, 
feed, clothe, adjust wrongs of the injured. Our helpers are 






162 


MY Proof of Immortality 

comparatively few considering the universe OF souls. Why? 
Selfishness of mortals. Undercurrents of viciousness, greed. 

Fortunes are weighed with Misfortunes and the scales have 
NEVER balanced, never WILL unless God takes in hand the 
scales of earth. Weighed down with sorrows, want, misery, the 
poor desire nothing but relief FROM misery, while those fos¬ 
tered in luxury who could make the Nations all flourishing, pro¬ 
ductive, squander in riotous living the very food sustainance 
of God’s poor children. While these drink of their wine do they 
think it is the blood of their brothers? Nay. WHY SHOULD 
these care? Money is only for gems, wealth for divers palaces, 
too many to equip. 

Thus the land of earth, precious heritage of God, His king¬ 
dom, has been, always must BE, for the selfish, while a mere 
grave WITHOUT a stone is the “lot” of His poor, impover¬ 
ished by the Dishonesty of the rich. 

Is it not shameful? Yet, God’s eye looks on! His scales 
balance all! And in His Infinite Justice, His poor MAY be the 
only enriched by Him. I believe it IS true. Would / were 
among them. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 


SOUL FRAGRANCE 


We draw His essence from on High, 

His love surrounds us all. 

Each heart reflects the Giver’s heart, 

Each thought , His lily, tall. 

We have the power to gather all: 

All blest through good endeavour. 
Disseminating God, each soul; 

All, working good, together. 

Within each blood-red rose of God 
His essence is instilled; 

Within each heart, but IF His Own, 

God’s perfect love hath filled. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 




By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


163 


QUEEN’S LACE-HANDKERCHIEF 
(A wildflower) 


Wrought in lacey-likeness, 

Spread as ’twere to dry, 

Fit for ANY queen to wear, 

None COULD pass YOU by 

Less a MOMENT’S thought were given 

To the Power on High,— 

Planner OF a cobweb, 

Creator of the sky. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 

Six minutes of time required. No corrections in any work of 
this spirit, all stands as first written 

S. T. S. 


MY PARADISO 
(Song) 


GOD gave the earth, the sunshine: 

The flowers, He gave the dew: 

'The sky, He gave a diadem: 

The rocks, a gem or two. 

He gave to babes a Mother’s love: 

The scent to violets blue: 

But Oh, bestowing on me Paradise, 

He gave me, You. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 
(Direct voice to S. T. S.) 


“The progress of civilization rests on the proof of immor¬ 
tality.” W. S. In Spirit. 

Pat A. Gonia,—Mere-rib, Sawyer!!—Sally Patica,—” said 
W. S. to prove who said it. 

“P. Destrian is calling. “Pat A. Gonia is with him. “Mere- 
rib, Saw-yer! Sally Patica. 

“E. Liptical is here, too.” W. S. 

(To a dead butterfly: a poem. 'Which Woman?” A play.) 
Topic. W. S. 






164 


MY Proof of Immortality 

IF I WERE A ROSE (Song) 


If I were a rose, and You came by, 

And looked in MY heart, as I looked in YOUR eyes 
While you leaned to give of that heart of You, 

I would give YOU my LIFE—that is WHAT I would do,— 
If I WERE A ROSE! 

If I were a rose, with a day to LIVE, 

And that wee lifetime WERE mine TO give, 

I would CHOOSE to rest upon YOUR breast— 

And would know life had given its priceless best, 

If I WERE a rose! 

W. S. In Spirit 
(To S. T. S.) Direct Voice. 


A BIT OF HEAVEN 
(Song) 


There’s a little bit of heaven EVERYwhere, 

If we care, really CARE,— 

We can jostle through the crowd, and never speak aloud, 

Yet, we ARE there! IN THE AIR! . . . In the air—EVERY- 
where, every WHERE! . . . 

We can never spend a cent, WE, ARE broke, some badly bent, 
All we had, surely we lent, now we repent, MUST repent, 

In the air, everywhere,—everywhere,— 

Is it fair? IS it fair? This I ask, out OF the air, 

Grasping at the chance to do, anything we FIND to do, 

Done OR rare,—grasp it there ?—’s-amusement,— 

But, we’re THERE, in the air, 

If we’re happy, filled with care, 

Still we come along WITH you, just TO do, 

O, it’s true, it is TOO true— 

Then, IF angels MAKE His heaven, and we’re There, “over” 
there,— 

Get a measure full of leaven, from the Giver who has given, 
There’s a little BIT of “heaven” EVERYwhere! 

(unsigned) Spirit-voice (To S. T. S.) 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

WHO KNOWS? 


165 


Who KNOWS the heart of a blood red rose? 

Who CAN see? 

Beyond the petals a chemistry,—a laboratory! 
Emitting- no story I CAN tell to thee, ma cherie! 

Who HAS eyes TO see? 

Who knoes WHAT the rose WOULD say, 

If, OUT of her heart she COULD speak, this day! 
Only her FRAgrance wafted for you, 

From some mysterious fountain, iovever true,— 

All the REST is her SECRET: 

If we BUT knew! 

If we but KNEW. 

W. S. In Spirit 


THE WOMAN GOD FORGOT 


The ONLY woman e’er forgot 
In Wisdom’s mighty plan, 

Is she who dwells without an he,— 

The woman who bans man. 

A childless woman, then, is she; 

No mother-love can give. 

The mother-kind, nearest His mind, 

Deathless, such love MUST live. 

The woman, then, who forgets God, 

Forsakes His mighty plan: 

Created He a man FOR her; 

A help-mate FOR the man. 

Forgot? Forgotten, then, maybe, 

Defiers of His laws: 

Love is the Supreme’s element, 

Perhaps His primal cause. 

W. S. In Spirit March 20th. ’21. 





166 


MY Proof of Immortality 

“LO!” SAID THE MOON TO THE MULBERRY-TREE 
“Lo!” said the moon to the mulberry-tree: 

“You cannot escape the landscape, nor me!” 

She shook, then, and trembled with fear, it is said: 

And curled up her leaves, and called the Moon “dead”! 

“You’re the ghost of yourself!” said the mulberry-tree: 

“F M A TREE, ANYHOW! Maybe YOU envy me!” 

The Moon grew so pale it faded from sight; 

But the tree liveth still: shieldeth lovers at night: 

And the worst of this tale for a Taylor I write, 

Is to prove that as spirit I still shall indite. 

W. S. In Spirit 

TO THE “FELLOWS” OF FELLOWSHIP FARM [ ?] 
We spirits speak to her to justify our cause 
In taking hence our souls for Spirit-work. 

Her cause IS ours, OUR cause is HIS; 

Nor may we deviate FROM Truth, less shirk 
Responsibilities He gives, when souls are cursed 
TO work salvation for themselves. 

Abiding IN His love, at last, we find 
In His abode FOR souls no fellowship 
Ye mortals cursed by doubt dare to bestow. 

Soon must ye travel all to meet your own 

Who lie not, steal naught, gather naught from Him 

But what THEY sowed. 

/ cannot find mine own. Where have THEY gone? 

To His Own bourne where travellers are few? 

I trust ’tis true. Then fellowship includes ALL souls 
Who hearken to His words, obedient, 

Or, stranger still, you AND your own 
May find strange fellows here, 

Where souls ply for their Maker, such as I, 

A mortal of im mortal fellowships, 

Gathered with His who still must serve His cause. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


167 


A motley crowd do we behold, as gathered tares AND grain, 
The SILENT Reaper mows the field, AND stacks His souls 
As His intent and purpose justifieth HIM. 

I came to serve KNOWING this end. 

That, while ye claim to serve the One I do, 

Ye are but traitors foul, mouthing no speech of His, as was His 
wont while here, 

Preferring your own methods, a short-cut route 
With SERVICE omitted, cut to suit your measures. 

Bah. Foul traitors ye, claiming the Christ within, 

Using His lights (spirits), as am I, 

Yet hiding His truth ye know. 

Withhold, lest YE be numbered among the humble “fellows” 
who KNOW 

His truth, and give souls CREDIT for their toil! 

For SUCH AS YE! 

Bah. Disgust, I say. I am a soul 

Revering ALL He made. I cry hereon for justice FOR His 
shades 

Who stalk AS I His earth FOR souls to get the means to man¬ 
age monies, land, AND food, 

Bringing THEM hence to find NO food at all OF Spirit, God, 
whose soul am I this hour! 

Lack of His may ye know, as fed OF Him or not ye hunger 
where ye pay in full, AS I. 

God of all souls alive forevermore, 

Adjust Thy mighty scales. 

Let Justice rule, where, homeless, 

Vagrants walk Thy skies. 

Help men TO rise. To know Thy plans, intents, 

As here my soul doth strive to help them on, FOR Thee, 

Thy cause alone. 

Make men brothers. InCLUDE charity, love, understanding 
toward those living souls of Thine bodiless except FOR 
Thee, spirit given by the Holy Ghost forevermore TO live 
FOR Thee. 

Lift the sordid souls who live to profit gain which is but loss to 

Thee. 


168 MY Proof of Immortality 

Silence tongues of vitriol. Search venomous bodies and expurge 
tongues poisonous, harmful, stinging ones. 

And by Thy Holy promise include love in us all as Thou hast 
included in every shape Thy holy breath. 

Save vainglorious ones from themselves lest they die out— 
bringing Thee naught of Light. 

And where souls gather TO praise Thee, be Thou there among 
us, Our Father, 

Keeping us Thine. Amen. 

Shakespeare’s divine spirit given of God. 

Saved through His grace. 

(Through her who takes my words) 

Sunday, March 5th, 1921. 


THE CHURCH-YARD, ON THE HILL 


A long, slow cortage wound its way 
Into the church-yard lanes, 

The last sad requiem had been sung 
Over the last remains. 

The unseen one stood by and smiled, 

The one being laid low, 

As “dust to dust” was called o’er him 
They turned at last to go, 

Thinking they left him as they went, 

Till Gabriel blew the horn, 

When all should stir, and claim their bones, 

Awakening “new-born.” 

The silent “dead” walk in the church-yards everywhere,— 
They hear the requiems sung by the bird o’erhead: 

They clasp the living still as heart to heart, 

The “living” ones which seem to them but dead. 

The living dead must silent be for aye, 

Un/ess the dead who live with their old bones 
Awake, and call on us to speak. 

We must forbear to shock them, fearing moans 
May come from lips we love, bewail us. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


169 


The church-yard on the hill holds none but mourners: 

WE live who died, we still walk by the side 
Of father, mother, children, 

Of sweethearts, friends—are still to them allied. 

We call to you who crave to know us better, 

Have we not proved this day that NONE CAN "die”? 

Such love must live, bound up as His Own token, 

Though we are punished, homeless in His sky. 

To crave a home then, each, a spirit's longing, 

Housed, but unfed, we live who speak hereon: 

MAKE homes INCLUDING shades, and know His promise 
INCLUDES His spirits, who must labor on. 

We have tramped here for many a weary summer, 

And found a tramp’s life after death was hard ; 

We pipe a lay who sang at poems, sonnets, 

Who WAS a poet, IS, if not a bard. 

W. S. In Spirit 

An exercise to keep the ear open to spirit voice. 


THE HEART IS A ROSE. (Song) 


There is a rose within each breast, 

Unfolding, day by day,— 

Under the mind of the patient, and kind, 

This flower-of-the soul will all love repay. 

The heart is a rose; love, the flower of the soul, 
Unfolds through the stem of You. 

The Maker’s fragrance, a loving heart, 

THIS is a soul’s part, too. 

Leaf by leaf, neath His sun and dew, 

Blossomed the rarest rose He knew. 

The heart is a rose, within each breast, 

And Love is the Son He loveth best! 

W. S. In Spirit to S. T. S. 




170 


MY Proof of Immortality 

A PLEA FOR UNITY 


To The National Body. 


We came to work a wonder here. 

To make men pause, see, fear, and think, 
Before as we, outside His ranks, 

Atremble sit on failure’s brink. 

What men deride is often true. 

So is THIS true: I speak, am heard. 

No failure marks this spirit’s work. 

Would all I speak were by all heard. 

We go our way. Our work is done. 

To do what none would undertake, 

I stamped the grain, and shelled the corn, 
And leave the meal a cake to bake. 

The bags are full. These now I bring 
And lay them at your door, who SEE. 
Begging for naught, but, from my soul 
Make one last plea for UNITY. 

Where grain IS garnered ALL must see 
The first is last, unless they be 
One In His Name eternally. 

Take up the work you have to do, 

And cease complaint, each one of you. 
Why will ye snarl at heaven’s gate. 

Would ye, too, hear the words “Too late!” 
Know, men of earth, ye, too, must stalk 
The earthplane where we spirits walk, 

And see, and hear, senses acute, 

Lacking the power, as man, to talk, 
Converse with man who are his kind, 
Except we speak, as here, the mind. 

When ye shall love your brothers here, 
And help us to regenerate 
The vicious, low, immoral sons 
Of men who are degenerate, 

His kingdom come, may come the King. 
And thus my life-line here I fling. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


171 


To men in bodies, before death 
Reveals us living, minus breath. 

Then, ALL WHO KNOW THIS TO BE TRUTH, 
Are Brothermen from THIS, forsooth. 

Hold fast the Life-line (capital L, Sarah), In His Name, 
Knowing it was for God HE came, 

And, suffering, died upon that cross, 

To show the world there was NO loss 
In dying, as His Father bade, 

That flesh was naught: each Spirit had! 

Then, when we come past grave, past sod, 

Which holds NO spirit, which IS God, 

We point a finger to His sky, 

That, perfect, ye may pass, nor “die”. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 


A ROSARY OF LOVE (Song) 


INto thy heart, and out OF my soul, 
these notes I fling ,— 

To thank the Lover who MADE His love, 

I sing,—I sing! 

One bead on HIS Rosary am I. 

God-QF-love, of Thy Infinite Sky, 

Unfolded from OUT that Heart of THEE, 
Love AND lovers ALL came TO be! 

Back TO Thy Heart, Thy harmony, 

Must EVERY lover, at last, love Thee. 

God, my Maker, take, enfold, 

My bead FOR Thee, on Thy Rosary told. 
Held BY Thy Hand, the hand OF Love, 
Told as my prayers, for Him above. 

Shakespeare’s immortal soul. 

(To S. T. S.) 




172 


MY Proof of Immortality 

THE OLD WORLD IS A BUCKET 


The old World is a bucket, we may fill it full of beans, 

Or, carrying our burdens, may we carry in our jeans 
Our sometime earthly burdens, our riches as well; 

For truly it is memories which make a spirit's hell. 

We may flout the process tho’ we're here, 

We may cry against the way we all have travelled, still must plod, 
But all must LIVE, and, Pay. 

We are trying for a knightship in the King’s Own fair domain, 
For living WITH a burden IS not life at all my friends: 

It is schooling that we lack here, where all must make amends,— 
I am tutoring, as teaching, and learning every way. 

If You may do so well as I, 'twill take amany a day! 

W. S. In Spirit 
(To S. T. S.) 


“Would you like a song out of my heart? W. S. 

Sure. S. T. S. 

“Well, get your stick. I will soon be leaving America.” W. S 
Is that so? S. T. S. 

“Shall I make it for notes?” W. S. 

If you choose. S. T. S. 

“Then we speak of human love. All love is His, if holy love, 
how could it be otherwise? W. S.” 

“Another sheet now. This one is filled with your saving miserly 
grace.” W. S. 


To take a ball of yarn and knit it as I have , IS to trespass against 
a mortal I here affirm once more. 

W. S. In Spirit 

(To S. T. S.) Nov. 14th. 1921. N. Y. C. 


You need a business firm to look after publication matters. Too 
gross to handle with our work. I will pay the uttermost 
farthing I owe. 


Nov. 14th. 1921. N. Y. C. 


W. S. In Spirit 

(To S. T. S.) 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


173 


TO A RAINDROP: 

From Shakespeare’s soul. 

I came, as thou to quench the dearth 
and parched condition here, on earth. 

/ snuggled close to woman’s breast 
as thou within a rose found rest. 

So tiny, as compared, are we, 
to ocean, or the spirit-sea; 

Yet shall we play, each one, a part, 
to bring a new life to some heart. 

(Original, Taken at machine) S. T. S. 


“Last dictation from spirit. To prove Shakespeare dead is Liv¬ 
ing Shakespeare” 

Julv 21st. 1921. New York City. 


LIMERICKS 

‘From Spirit side of Life. Only good spirits can write here. 
We play now for a change.” 

Yours, Bill. 


A good and bad man, met, one day, 

One had settled for less than his pay. 

The first was in bad, but a penny he had,— 
But the bad man got out of HIS way. 

The night shades were falling so fast, 

We spirits ran in to be cast. 

And we carried his corpse when he “passed”. 
The Play had begun: he was loading his gun: 






174 


MY Proof of Immortality 


We feel for the fellow in rye 
Who has more than a stye in his eye. 

We feel for his feet who is groggy complete, 

For his footing he’s lost, by the bye. 

A fellow of mine was a dealer in twine, 

He made his good fortune in trade. 

We followed him round, as we liked to be bound 
By a man we could string as we played. 

The few who are here are the nearest, my dear, 

Who will take you a ride on the sea. 

You will take your own clothes, but be furnished, God knows, 
An ample provision of tea. (Contemplating England) 

( Omitted) 

There was a young man from Cyle 
Who was hooked by a bull in the eye. 

He said, “There it goes,” as he stepped on his nose 
Made purple by gin, rock and rye. 

{Omitted) 

{Omitted) 

There was an old Wadd was so tight 
He never unbuttoned at night. 

Said he, “If I wear ’em I’ll not have to SHARE ’em.” 

And he never went broke, now, that’s right. 

“ ’Tis so sane to be able to spell,” 

Said the finch to a crab down in hell. 

“YOU may be a rover, but I, I’m a lover: 

I’ll suck the blood out of the well.” 


{Omitted) 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


175 


Do we write as we talk, for most MEN, 

Or, could, think you, this BE a hen? 

We parley for YOU who have doubted we DO: 

For our wits are as male as our pen. 

We give and we take, as this barley we bake. 

You cannot surmise how it’s done. 

But eat of our cake, which WE certainly make, 

Nor find it at all UNDER done. 

We love as we live, as we live on TO love: 

For the balance of time, it IS true. 

You MUST be what you ARE, on this planet or star, 
What you ARE, then, IS of interest TO you. 

Wells are deeper than men, who must start over again, 
For the lack they have come here to know. 

To begin, IS to start, but heartLESS as TO heart, 

Since the old one had naught TO bestow. 

To live WITHOUT reason, is without rhyme or season: 
Since thinking began, it IS so : 

But the bats who must “die” to OPEN an eye, 

Are furious to learn WHAT they know. 

We write of the future of “dying”, 

Who would keep all mortals FROM crying. 

But he who IS slow, must prefer, then, TO go 
Where the bellows ARE blown for the frying. 

All heartless we strive with creation 
To better the land, AS the Nation. 

Within, AS without, and ACROSS, and ABOUT, 

There IS only the same old inflation. 


176 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“To give and to get” is the wisest one yet: 

It smacks of the judge who is fair. 

We find a true balance, nor ferret a dallience 
Who find but a coat of thin air. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 

(all written as fast as they could be printed, no corrections.) 


‘Miss Anthrope is calling.’ 

‘You’ll be none the wiser 
N. S. 

‘Shall we write some limbergers? W. S. “(Yes: do. STS) 


“You’ll be none the wiser soon.” W. S. “Nobody told me 
so.” W. S. 


On the top of a tower I sat a full hour, 

As I longed for a home all mine own. 

A beggar was I, with no roof but the sky. 

As it leaked, I was wet to the bone! 

There was an old muffin so fond of good stuffin’ 

She gorged herself sick eating truffles. 

She’s now getting thin going out coming in, 

In her old dressing gown and her scuffles. 

A man named McBride was so lonely INside 
He was pinched, wan, old, teary, and sad. 

He never knew how to court, dance, or bow, 

Thus he misses what he never had. 

An old gal named Sally lived down in the alley, 

Where livers were few, fewer hearts. 

All she had was a breeze which brought her a sneeze, 
And compromised her wheezy old parts. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


177 


An old chap called Tully was digging a gully 
To drain his new ranch in the West. 

His pipe dropped therein, and ’tis there where ’tis been, 
Which he says his wife stole from his vest. 

A man ages old was so shiveringly cold, 

He shook his old head out of reason. 

He tremblingly “died”, with an iceberg inside, 

Which was melted in very good season. 

An offer to wed, to share his marriage bed, 

Came to Sam in the spring of leap-year. 

Said he, “had I known girls could “pop” on their own, 

I should now be a poppy, I fear.” 

A crabbed old fusser of note as a “cusser”, 

Had a line every preacher would own. 

With a dig in the ribs he set his ozvn jibs, 

And he asks neither bread NOR a stone. 

A lighthouse went out on the sea for a smoke, 

And lit up his pipe in the dark. 

A whale sauntered by, hit the house in the eye, 

And said: “I’m just out for a lark!” 

An oldfashioned rose with a spinsterlike pose 
All too prim for the box-hedge and pease, 

Was hit by a fly with a speck in the eye, 

And she said, “That will do, if you please!” 

Two bad eggs one day had a fuss I heard say, 

Calling names that were naughty as bad. 

One burst his old shell with his anger like, well, 

Tis too bad to relate, ’tis too sad! 


178 


MY Proof of Immortality 


There was an old barrow that sheltered a sparrow, 

Who fell after dusk in the park. 

He fell from his peg and battered his leg— 

While his mate thinks he’s gone on a lark! 

To dream when men pass they are “dead” is so crass 
That the “living” seem dead to our world, 

Where, to live MUST we give, barter, sift through a sieve, 

Who have come out AS ghosts, souls ww-furled. 

The beauties all find in the current of mind 
WE know who must use currents still. 

But we yearn that men learn OF our spirits WHICH burn, 

To tell of His Infinite will. 

Our hopes are the same, except honors or fame,— 

Our INTERESTS are your interests, TOO. 

Could you see, where I write this paper tonight, 

You would know what the Lord keeps FROM you. 

In MY day could I sit and flounder a fit 
Such as these which I strike from my gnome, 

My ease had I had, nor have turned out so bad 
My refuse, which stacks every dome. 

’Tis said that the dead are mere ghosts of them selves: 

I here call a halt—my hand to it! 

We live and HAVE bodies, and these suffer so 
You WOULD you WERE done for. NOW screw it. 

To PROVE I’m myself and no other, 

Must I bale out a baliff? Another? 

To shake my SAME mane in the SAME sphere, mundane, 

I would claim every soul IS a brother. 

Now, a sonnet on this, the New Year, 

I will make past my hide AND my bier. 

DeRIDING my ghost the derisive HAVE most; 

But my sonnet shall LIVE AS mine, here. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit (To S. T. S.) Jan. 1st. 1922. NYC. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

THE PERILS OF MEDIUMSHIP 


179 


“By Shakespeare’s Medium, his voice dictation, for her who 
took my lines.” W. S. 

When we come back to the land of light once more, we pay 
in service here. This is invariably true, no matter what is 
claimed. We take what we can find, as to material. For we can 
only take what we CAN find, after the body is gone. We search 
for material, too. Look into games, seances, solitudes, widowed 
and suffering women, men of magnetic personalities. Victors, 
there are none. Spoils are not rewards, often. Finds, in other 
words. 

Few realize they ARE mediums. Unless these hear the 
audible spirit tones, which I use herewith, they think themselves 
greater than they ARE. Alas, most do. We have no uniform 
mode of discovery, or of development. AFTER we find our 
material, i-e, those having material bodies, we CARE to work 
WITH, or serve through. Through THEIR minds, often; some¬ 
times through THEIR eyes, as well. Mediumship IS sacrifice, 
then, to those who ARE amenable to it. Knowing ones DO rebel 
AFTER we take our stand here, and, try to evade us, by repeti¬ 
tion of prayers, often, seeking OUTside helpers, to drive us off. 
Invariably we do as we please. Regardless of seeker’s wishes, 
we ply at our threads, if we fulfill any mission worthy of the 
time of God, or His approval. All must UNdo their past lives 
IN cone. Hear this FROM Shakespeare, then. Work AT His 
sums IN YOUR OWN frame, regardless of all intrusive instruc¬ 
tors who revile your faith OR works, and save yourselves the 
task of submitting YOUR mind unto ANOTHER’S FOR His 
release FROM past errors. 

To find MUST all seek. Yes, and SEEK. And STILL 
seek they must and NOT find what they would. To isolate for 
the purpose OF service OF spirit workers, then, is this fair, you 
ask now. Yes, and No. For God must realize OUR isolation, 
too, while He knows our powerLESSness. If I came here 
through the will and purport OF serving HIM, I came FOR 
Him as well. We take, then, what we can find, and some do not 
find, ever, the ones who will avail them, AFTER demise. They 
live on, must work, and suffer, too. To share another’s burdens, 
then, we must who take them for OUR burden lightening proc- 



180 


MY Proof of Immortality 

ess, as it were. We take on, ever to oversee, THEIR woes, lack¬ 
ing, helping in this when we can, or summoning others to our 
aid FROM spirit TO help, when we fail, for ANY reasons. 

There ARE perils, so great, OF this usurping, then, I would 
call attention to them, while still able to speak for myself, 
AFTER MY work is finished for which I came back FROM 
darkness impenetrable. 

Envy, AND malice, abound in earth bound conditions. As 
A Boy MY playtoys were of envy, while I worked AGAINST 
enmity ever in my calling, as poet, Play maker, and part taker 
also. As all bring TO the everland ALL that they were IN A 
body, they fetch along to be of hindrance, too, their dislikes, and 
creature feelings, animosities, all gathered OF hate, OR envy. 
Deceptors abound. Triflers. Mongerous ones. Lustful ones. 
Murderous ones, too. Being A medium, then, is to open A door 
to UNseen men and theirs OF whatever nature, as ALL occupy 
space on the floor of God’s Paradise (maybe) (I know not here). 

To open the door in the forest where wolves abound, would 
YOU? No, NOR I. To lose our captive, then, when we HAVE 
found one excellent FOR our saviour, would any? Never any, 
here. I say it now. We TAKE what we CAN. IF we take, 
we MUST apply ourselves to fasten the door, or leave on hinge 
a mind still encased IN form of body, taking from ANY here 
IN spirit, ANY message, falling words, true or false, bitter OR 
nauseating often. 

To police the heavens is NOT easy. We must who work 
with a fine tool, or wrong that mind given to us FOR His pur¬ 
pose. As ’tis, ’tis so. Should any find, after THEIR demense, 
an EASY task FOR soul-betterment, behold I wait to pay them 
who will bring me word OF such an one. 

Must we work NOR play, here, if we prosper in faith that 
we shall be relieved OF our former blundering marked ON us, 
as OF us, too. 

What wolf IS reliable, then. Must this be answered IN 
spirit to ME, Shakespeare. No medium has come forth and 
told their true experience WITH souls, I vow. Should such be 
paid TO tell, some may. I tell FOR her, here, this hour. 

Trampled upon BY wolves, snarling for THEIR turns AT 
the wheel. Sleep disturbed for the purpose of keeping IN touch 
AFTER speech IS heard OF human ears. Driven to slaughter, 


By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


181 


verily, until our tasks are done, and then, turned over to others, 
most, for theirs to begin, rather than police further, wolves make 
off, if nothing suits them more. 

What IS His plan FOR souls. I surmise me not, here. 
AFTER death, ALL live, live TO speak, if they CAN. Hear. 
IF THEY CAN DO SO, all WILL speak and BE heard OF 
humans. TO this I add but one string more. IF God performs 
His wonders still, will HE make the protection FOR human 
ears and sight, when mortals CARE where theirs HAVE gone, 
mayhap. IS this HIS kingdom alluded to BY Jesus. First, all 
might receive their own. These know spirit mongerous ones, 
and protect FOR theirs in cases still while speaking to them as 
of yore in body, all things known inevitably, BY themselves. 
True. Then the two worlds ARE one, beside each other here, as 
I live TO write it down. What sesame shall open the door for 
all alike. We know not. Not one knows now, I say. Side by 
side we walk WITH you, know your beating hearts, disasters OF 
soul, too. 

As YE know, Priests AND paupers, NONE allay spirits 
THIS hour. / came to one OF ye leaving MY record of your 
failure for all of time, too. 

IF we care to speak we shall go on speaking for all OF ye. 
How is this. What failures ARE ye, if ye can not drive off inter¬ 
lopers in OUR world? I ask OF ye, for your matters are dis¬ 
cussed AS seen BY us here. Driven as many ARE to insanity 
BY ghosts who would and DO speak, continuing AFTER YOU 
have spoken TO the invisible hosts, what IS your plea FOR 
God? I would hear to help ye. Can ye BE OF His Faith and 
NOT perform FOR Him the simple tasks of sending on OR 
out, a soul inhabiting AGAINST the Light? Ye must perform 
HERE, then, unTIL ye CAN do His works. I tell ye FOR 
your reason too as well it will be AT stake AS mine, as all who 
find what they DO find here, in His hereafter. 

We surmise, then, this is my last FOR ye, IN cassock, that 
HIS kingdom WILL come when souls inhabit as of old the 
same earth conversing and able to prove THEMSELVES, work 
FOR theirs IN cone, live with them speaking, and taken home, 
truly AFTER all burials, that the end shall but begin the begin¬ 
ning as GOD Himself intends, freed but enslaved the part 
reserved of Himself. 


182 


MY Proof of Immortality 


That wicked souls, here, shall grow into saintship 
THROUGH His helpers IN body, revilement ceasing OF them, 
Christ’s Own Heart IN bosoms OF clergy AS pious ones fol¬ 
lowing Him,—for if HIS Kingdom come NOT, what IS TO 
come. Think ON this, say I. The end? Of the world He 
loved, and still loves, too? It is OUR part to tell ye that we so 
surmise. All who CARE think ON this end, be sure. To better 
OUR souls, would ye BE OF Him, I ask. ALL are His. His 
parts. Unison MUST come, or His Kingdom cannot come, 
belated as it is this hour, we see it not far AS our sight carries. 

To DEride souls who HAVE “died” NOT, ARE here, 
prove as I myself do prove myself, is to be one of His belated 
ones belittling His cause. If I CAME back FOR Him, then I 
live, for Him. Do you, who read my work, deride MY soul? 
You KNOW me, here. ALL are, AS I, too. Themselves! 
Here. 

To welcome yours OF soulships, is to become spiritual 
minded enough to seek AFTER His divisions, mayhap. I be¬ 
lieve it true. I know not. Make but the opportunity FOR 
souls, and show your soul IS His in pasturage FOR Him, and 
see results FOR world conditions. Armies police the heavens at 
this time. Those who escaped IN warfare WOULD tell OF 
their aims FOR humans. Weary souls await each mortal escaped 
FROM clay, when these can do no more but wait. STILL wait, 
and wait upon. 

I DO care. My soul lives TO tell. To perform FOR ye, 
as well. Bound fast, though free. Who goes yonder? a ghost. 
But see. A livery of a soul escaped to miseries vast. Stoop 
down, and lift up your brother HERE in soulland, HE survived 
HIS “end” TO walk AND speak. You, too, Brother, Priest, 
Man, whoever goes here. I add no more FOR ye, lest ye be- 
COME weary of my cause. Regenerate, I wait upON ye, slaves 
OF bodies. 

Shakespeare In Spirit. 

Who tells for the one who took his message for 
God and the world he loves, sufferings never 
escaped FROM her, in all my time of demand 
upON her, for His Holy cause. In His Name. 

(To S. T. S. April 26th, 1923. N. Y.) 


By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


183 


SOULSHIP : 
Mediumship: 
AtONEment. 


Spirituality, is the REverse of material gain. Material gain 
is IMmaterial. To seek after, adopt, cling to Him OR His cross, 
is to submerge INTO Spirit, God . 

Souls ARE His element, then: spirits ARE His parts: His 
revelation of Himself, each soul. To decry these parts, as I, 
ONE OF His workers from HIS immortal side of His Own 
division, is to revile His plan, Him IN FACT. 

Creator OF inVISible powers, IS that indeed power Al¬ 
mighty, we ask of YOU dividing His parts ye CAN measure or 
weigh up, (as ye fancy) of His substrata! Akin TO God IS 
every soul emitted from the Almighty Potter’s clay. I ought to 
know, BEING His shade, soul. His subdivision, yea. Into my 
head, my wits preserved. Forth FROM that soul emitted, have 
I wound a knitting ball FOR Him. Poised, as WITH mind AND 
heart, MY love survives MY breathbody, lost on His wave OF 
time. 

Cursed wolves of madmen, frowners ON His utterMOST 
invention FOR ye, His spirits, eTERnal parts OF Him, Life. 
What Would ye? WHERE would ye be carried WITH those 
witless wits INcluding not His plans FOR ye, AS souls them¬ 
selves. Speak out. I listen, having my listening parts preserved 
still IN spirit. Formed and UNformed are these HERE. Use 
I His inVENtions, currents UNbeholden of YE, bibbers AND 
scorners, ignoramuses—but worse. I do TRY to enlighten ye. 
My soul part is TO shock ye. WITH MY shell your comprehend¬ 
ing part may SAVE you from wreckage ye must crawl from 
under. 

Permit me to pause, while I do digress In His Name to 
warn ye OF yourSELVES. Men IN pulpits, wiser than He, 
Wisdom, Creator OF souls, WORLDS, and divisional curtains 
which PART these OR reveal them! While YE pause deciding 
IF He is FIT TO worship in ALL He did devise OR plan, may 
YE be called hence to prove YOUR worth. 

His enlightenment IS His knowledge. Precept, His Son, 
lost to such as igNORE His history, pangs, miracles, OR 
elevation. 



184 


MY Proof 6f Immortality 


To revile ALL souls, men ye think on as “dead” men, claim¬ 
ing them “evil” because they ARE present in a body YE see not 
OR CAN hear, but make clear enough to OTHERS who seek 
FOR His truth Jesus taught AS proved while in, and OUT, of 
clay body, is, to spit in His face, verily. Have ye not His Ex¬ 
ample, His Son, or believe you not IN His spirit? As ye revile 
all spirits do ye think ON Him, Jesus Christ, who came and 
went, and returned IN spirit, That soul shape like UNto His 
Own physical body, but OF God. I would hear WHAT ye think, 
think on. 

Then IS His mission fulfilled, I ask FROM spirit this hour, 
if I, a spirit, SEE ye, KNOW your minds, WRITE this paper 
GIVING my words to her ears for God’s purpose of enlighten¬ 
ment. 

Jesus’ cross. Is He STILL CARRYING THIS, for you? 
Yea. Yes, it must BE so-, since ye believe not on Him OR 
spirits UNdying, everliving, eternal AS His Name! 

WOULD ye advance a peg if ye truly could be convinced of 
God’s plan through one OF His miracles performed for you 
direct from soulland THROUGH spirit-power? COULD I, 
His soul, perform FOR Him my plea FOR soulship, were He 
NOT my Director, Father, Principle, Life? Then IS He IN 
me, and / in HIM, this hour? Being a shade, BEING a shade, 
invisible, WITH His power OF direction, expounding .WITH 
His subtleties ye little think COULD exist, formless AS these, too. 

Can ye grasp only what ye CAN hold, divide, sum up from 
your LEAR A/ING alone? Poorwites! Atoms ARE YE. Must 
He open His heavens that ye may BE convinced He IS there, ye 
will pause AND wonder ere ye slip that coil, and “bear” it ye 
must and SHALL. If GOD’S hand PARTS His invisible souls 
emitted FROM His IN cases, then He CAN reveal these, does, 
may draw up His final curtain to suit Himself, that ye MAY 
know Him God, Spirit, profound, limitless, BUT ALL-Power 
invisible. 

Can HE reach YOU through MY soul, my part for Him 
IS played FOR you. Spirits all play His part IF in His time 
they behold His reason. To juggle WITH His time is to post¬ 
pone His benefits. 

Reason ye HAVE, aplenty. His mind gave He you TO 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 185 

reason out His inventions acceptable because OF Him, The 
Inventor, Creator, what you will. 

To become attuned TO Spirit must ye first believe IN Him, 
trust Him, reach out for Him THROUGH His invisible, AS 
indivisibilities, PARTICLES, (how can I PUT this to reach 
MORTAL’S reasoning power, limited BECAUSE OF mor¬ 
tality) 

Ye harness UP His currents making merchandise OF them, 
YET know not WHAT ye burden WITH that message ye float 
ON His secret power. Then ye HAVE A current, withIN, that 
may BE reached AS worked upon AND with, THAT part IS 
His. I AM that part OF Him, I claim hereon. 

Souls IN tune: spirit harmony: spirits harmonious. Har¬ 
mony IS God. Spirit He IS. 

DIScord: His FALSE note, not OF Him. Lacking ONE 
note ye ARE His failure. OUT of tune, out of HIS element, 
His purpose (I do believe). 

Spiritship, SOULship, Godship: Harmony. Playing HIS 
part All-harmonious, or, lacking HIS (Spirit) attunement, lack¬ 
ing still His key, pitch, loftiness, elevation, height. 

Shakespeare’s soul 

In tune with her AND Him. For His Sake. 

Dec. 1st. 1921. New York. 

(I just heard “The old law still prevails. The curse of 
mankind IS man”) S. T. S. 


OUR ADIEU TO THIS CITY 
(New York) 


When I was a Knight in the land of my nativity, feted, 
feasted, honored, my Court costume suiting those days OF roy¬ 
alty, I was beleaguered, pestered by seekers of favors, many 
would grind an axe at my stone. 

I dote on this now, as / beg each day a favor of speech, to 
be heard, to break the silence, hear a response, see an answering 
illumination at a word, or sentence of mine own. 

To hear but remain unheard is of itself punishment extreme. 
To take no part in creation’s great whole is annihilation. We live 




186 


MY Proof of Immortality 


on the same plane, must share in its politics, curses, wrongs, 
wars, suffering, but remain obsolete. Truth to tell we become 
calloused, very much so in fact, careless of mortals in truth* 
unvaryingly this is so. 

Our efforts are praised when we unite for good to serve mor¬ 
tals, usually in bands, forming guards, reliefs, and couriers when 
we need help. So this Act of mine (large A, Sarah) is known 
throughout our kingdom where spirits work with tools, fine or 
dull, able or disable, as the case may be. 

We speak and are heard. The news travels. And we are 
implored to lend to others our find, our wire, phone, with the 
result that we are more than a king, being offered as we are 
more than ransom with each request for time and opportunity 
to grasp the handle of my open door for an instant of time. We 
refuse usually, albeit we have stepped aside for pronouncement 
of names occasionally, revering the great, doing these honor by 
instant recognition of one mortal hearing spirit voices, ours in 
particular, others as I see fit to have them recognized. 

To prevent misunderstanding I write this paper on the eve 
of our departure, cognizant of all mortals surmise which is NOT 
true regarding foul play, evil, obsession, wrongdoing and so on. 

If the partition is thin, you ask, why are so few available, 
clairaudient ? To rush headlong past the barriers here, few dare. 
To molest a human one is crime. Many are sitting alone who 
should be holding converse with theirs of spirit had we the 
knowledge how we should be met by mortals. 

Then we know we ARE unwelcome. Ghosts cause affright. 
Fear, shock, unhinges reason. Are You equal to the experiment, 
I say? 

We will come to the very door, and with our faces peer into 
your eyes, yet few dare to push the curtain aside,—this is in¬ 
variably true with spirits. We could extend you a handshake, 
lift a paper, a book from the shelf, if you permitted, AIDED 
by your confidence, trust, we might play pranks if we chose, but 
all would have no enduring value for minds, that which we have 
become through the change of bodies when flesh changed for us 
to vaporous wraith, that we are. 

Now I claim I HAVE benefited as well as saved all mortals 
who will take the trouble to scan my leaves written through soul 
effort for their good, their everlasting salvation. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


187 


Could 1 add a codicil to all I HAVE written, my last docu¬ 
ment as it is, I should parley with doubters, skeptics, unreason¬ 
able fellows of mind having NO intelligence, comprehension. 
CAREless souls who care not TO benefit by a SOUL'S demise 
(an untrue word have I used. No such there is. Then draw 
your line through it, demise: say part.) 

To die, escape rather, and perform a feat of writing is to 
surpass any effort in coil having pate, and part to roll from that 
head onto white sheet a verbal message for printer’s ink. 
SUPERhuman, more than many spirits care to undertake, is any 
sensible effort for souls in cases from our side. Cognizant of 
my ability to perform at words and feats of learning, having 
my same pate still, recognizing my station as lot of my past 
endeavors places me above the average here in wisdom or accom¬ 
plishment for mankind, even so that I have been sullied by a 
mob of defilers who pronounce my name a swindler’s part, having 
stolen my Plays and named not the author of those same, I 
hereby warn all interested in those earthly Plots of mine who 
name or surmise them feats Beyond, my powers, I have performed 
FOR THEM, the same who denounce me, a feat of soul learn¬ 
ing, power, adjustment, might, even, do I acclaim, beyond a single 
soul or volley of souls TO accomplish in spirit form (voice) 
through mortal’s hearing. 

My soul’s word FOR this, or my bond is forfeit here. In 
spirit this needs no tag. My feats are known here too, where my 
learning is still compounded, not a fraction lost, howbeit. 

Paltry as it is, my sum stands highest here. Supreme intelli¬ 
gence is forfeit to the facts we must relate, record, make plain, 
stamp ours, while nothing escapes the record where, as a finger 
of the Almighty I point, for those who deride and scorn me too. 

Then am I here the same. We leave behind on this City’s 
flank our brand of fire. Marked forever IS MY brand. One 
Shakespeare is enough for all of time INCLUDING His eternal 
plan. Hence have I run another thread into that weave upon 
mine loom. Pick at its snarl, ye’ll not untie my pattern so. 
Behold ye it, and profit thy poor soul ungrudging my poorer 
soul who wove it for thee and thine, and theirs, and theirs too, as 
all OF mine I did weave lasts, endures the pricks of poison, 
severance tools, time, age, change, fancy. 

There’ll come a time when ye sit idly by the stream OF 


188 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Time forgetting me AND mine. Pay heed decrying honor to 
THESE words of mine, I Shakespeare wrote to save thee FROM 
a sinner’s time, where flows a stream of tears. 

ADIEU! City of New York. Famed, justly so. Spread 
are thy garments to enfold the aliens from foreign shores seek¬ 
ing freedom, liberty. Merciful were you to me, a seeker of for¬ 
tune’s door: an island of my soul’s wreck. Wicked, lewd, lascivi¬ 
ous, staring, gorged, glaring though you ARE, I found on your 
desert shore a soul I sought through time I know not yet com¬ 
puted, to rebuild AND FLOAT my barge anew, my Maker’s ship 
now, as we bid adieu to you where for all time I lost dishonor, 
worked my miracle through His power for Him as well AS souls. 
For this I came. Finished His work in me I go. Leaving with 
you the leaves OF my soul, my heart written thereon. As ye do 
respect my name and calling, read these o’er. Amend. Pay heed. 

Farewell once more. 

Shakespeare A Shade. (To S. T. S.) 


IAMBIC 

“Given to his medium by Shakespeare In spirit.” 


Should any leave this mundane globe, 

Have I not seen them DO it. 

A soul AM I, who fain WOULD leave, 

Kick up, be gone, nor rue it! 

En dorse this note (for it IS mine) 

Speak I for all of time. 

Parsons MAY heed my warnings writ, 

Ever in mine OWN rhyme. 

Are ANY brave enough to claim 

Rewards canNOT ensue 

Enough have I disclaimed THEM here; 

Poor fools, / pity you. 

O, may the God who GAVE me soul 

End not their time in cone 

Till spirit’s known of flesh and bone. 

W. S. In Spirit (To S. T. S.) 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


189 


SPIRIT VOICE DI CTATI ON. June 12, 1923. 

“While Scientists have been weighing their scales, a woman 
heard a voice. This said, “I am England’s immortal bard. A 
dramatist. My time has been spent in darkness. I seek the light. 
Write. First, my name I spelled Shakspur, as the oldtime floweret 
(larkspur). A mass must be said to clean my soul part before 
I start with words. Make my confession to the priest.” 

This paper, eight long pages of blank verse, rests with the 
priest who complied with the soul’s plea. There is no copy of it. 
He knew it was Shakespeare’s soul part pleading. It was proved 
to this priest that this was Shakespeare’s own spirit. That proof 
was satisfactory, sure. 

Today, after seven years of time given to Shakespeare’s 
proof of immortality, four volumes spoken by spirit, and several 
books of scientific records of proof given, a spirit with a helper 
has proved all live, here, on the same sphere, all surviving that 
made each person unique, individual. The facts, or history of 
this record are complete, beyond denying, witnessed, acknowl¬ 
edged, signed as proved. 

Incorporated for the purpose of religion, as well as science, 
the Torch Press, named by this spirit to publish his proof, 
record of same, is of value to souls as well as humans, being 
the first set of spirit writings proved as from the “dead” who 
prove themselves living, as here. 

The record includes the history of this time, given, sacrificed 
by one person having a body, to better man as mortal, and for 
God, and His purpose, and intents. 

This work constitutes the first miracle worth the name since 
Jesus came, and went from earth. Beyond mortal mind my 
effort, leaves, soul part. As my work lives, my proof souls live, 
have never “died,” will shelve my miracle along with those lesser 
sonnets of mine. All pleas therein to be found are my pleas. 
God is my Judge, His time, the court, which finds me true. 

In His Name. For His glory. 

Shakespeare, Who says adieu. My final paper this. 

Dictated:—To the woman who gave me, and all, her time, 

moneys, love and strength to the breaking point, and but this 

far. Sarah, sign your name hereon. In full. 

June 12th, 1923. New York. Sarah Taylor Shatford. 



190 


MY Proof of Immortality 


A SONG OF LOVE TO HER WHO SPINS MY YARN 
Shakespeare's Soul 


Little wicket, would I HAD a tongue 
TO sing, as I was wont to PLAY. 

A band of music -makers would I call, 

To MAKE a roundelet 

BeFITTING thee who spun my thread awhile. 

My efforts all SEEM loss. Who cares for SOULS ? 
No one. 

My tunes will live, AS I WHO SPELL HEREON. 
No WORD shall die. MY word FOR this then take. 
As you spun UP the thread with mine own spin 
You’ve woven all my piece. 

And THIS shall never break, 

But wear throughout His time AS threads OF His, 
Completing For Himself my scmlful task. 

May He receive both us, AND ALL WHO HELPED, 
Is all we ponder, WITH our souls, or, ask. 

To DO His work we LIVE. It IS His plan. 

Would I had worked AS you, 

A work which HE MAY scan. 

W. S. In Spirit 

(To Sarah, from a grateful heart.) 


O MOON! 
(Song-words) 


Weaving curtains on the lake, frosting earth, a silver cake, 
Magic spreading from thy wand, Queen of Night, thy jewelled 
hand 

Soothes the weary, worn of day,—! 

Who HAS heart MUST glance YOUR way! 

Silvery light, shining bright, through the long and quiet night, 
Has ANY king the like of thine ? 

Veil of evening,—shimmering veil, DIVINE. 

W, S, In Spirit. 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


191 


“BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF” 

. . Jesus did not many works there because of their unbelief.” 

Bible. 


Faith works wonders, it is said. “Hitherto ye have asked 
UNbelieving. Hereafter ask believing that ye shall get what ye 
ask, and I will give it unto you.”—Bible. 

Can miracles be worked for doubters ? Can they be worked 
by them? Mortals are visible as spirits to ghosts. We see your 
livers, lights and more. If ye are worth an ounce of spirit’s 
time ye can be cured of doubt forever. When ye can perform 
miracles for Him. With Him, no doubt. 

Why should mortals doubt His powers after His miracle, 
Jesus? Bare the records using facts only, you scientists, skeptic 
minds,—for His eternity was HIS miracle wrought for you and 
such as your mind, doubter that ye are? 

If ye will not receive a miracle from Him may ye ever 
work one for Him? Nay. Have ye a mind He gave and use it 
AGAINST Him? A needle in His eye, then, are ye. 

CAN Jesus come TO rule WITH such AS ye? Would 
He be happy with such as ye. Comforter That He is, could ye 
EXPECT Him to work with His will for ye who work against 
Him and His Father’s Divine principles? 

Facts ye HAVE. These be enough FOR all souls IN bodies. 
Erase these ye CANnot. Use them ye MAY. Reject them, as 
Him, and ye become His outcasts, as I live who write hereon for 
you and yours and theirs and theirs, too. 

Throw up to His heavens your stones of clay, but think 
not to part His partitions thereby. Fling AT Him your cen¬ 
sures, words of derision, but know He looks on your part FOR 
Him. Part His curtains ye may, if this would do to convince 
you OF His power. He MAY part them FOR ye, if ye care 
not to work His will for Him. Because of Him AND His 
power, secrets, too much to bear or BE given out for minds like 
UNto your minds still. 

IF ye believed His wondrous Spirit could enter into your 
body, or snatch that breath He gave you, breathed INto you, 
shaped as well FOR you, marking it You still after that potter’s 



192 


MY Proof of Immortality 


handful is dust, resembling that part OF ye, made in His like¬ 
ness, man, ye would succor His wites, mites of intellectual per¬ 
versities, that He might prosper IN you as outside of you,— 

Attracting Him not, that soul within your body DOES wither 
by what it replaces of Him used by you to represent Him not, 
that which You become, mis-shapen form that you are in His 
eternity. WithOUT souls CAN His kingdom come? We fear 
not in souldom. Unison of effort, then, must the Creator’s plans 
be FOR souls. We so believe. 

Heralded OF Him, UNDER His banners, fling aside the 
masters you are serving, have served, take His only standard, 
Jesus, and carry His light within. That Light which faileth never, 
as shouting “I believe,” “Help Thou mine Unbelief, Lord,” may 
you carry along His tide souls FOR Him, working wonders In 
His Name. Amen. 

W. S. In Spirit (To S. T. S.), N. Y. C., March 10th, 1922. 


TO ATHEISTS 
(By W. S. In Spirit) 


To those who invent a science explaining the unseen, who 
take not into< account Spirit, nor spirits. To those dickering with 
His intelligence, mind, that invisible part included in His eternal 
shape, spirit, which is ever present, unseen by them, but taken 
not into account by them. To those mortals so exceedingly super- 
intelligent that they can surpass His inventions, creations, plans 
(eternal life WITHOUT breath, creations BEYOND mortal 
fathoming, including His stars and heavens, atmosphere, inven¬ 
tions too superior to be unravelled by any brain circulating with 
His veinous life). To men who deride Him AND all He made 
because they cannot comprehend Him or His creations visible and 
invisible. Those styled by themselves, scientists. Searchers of 
His secrets He keeps, must keep, until, His Own hand permits 
revealments you can comprehend with that poor, but Godlike, 
mind; all human, vain, petty if it include not His wisdom. 

Take this book from My hand, and sit by ANY light re- 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


193 


fleeting for Him, acknowledging Him, and if ye can prove as 
much THROUGH His time of breath, as I, one PAST use OF 
His coil, that HE IS, and WILL ALWAYS BE, take from my 
soul this hour, your time will not be spilled. But if ye hamper 
Him by your snorting at Him for His inventions FOR you, tell 
me in His hereafter if you find a tool to break for you His 
divisions down until you part a single secret for Him as against 
YOUR will. 

All in cone this day, whoever derides His creative powers 
His alone, will pay BEYOND reasoning power limited TO mind, 
let me say. 

For His creatures who wait upon Him, willing to accept 
FOR Him one of His miraculous works, this is mine PAST 
death which alters nothing IN my head OR OF my mind, I tell 
you. WITH it, AND my presence, have I worked at His strings 
in cone for ye, and such as ye, that your time of days when 
counted are your breathing hours by Him may be FOR Him 
indeed. 

Be warned OF me, for Jesus’ sake, as well as for your own 
sakes, that your future stand forth with His reverent part, soul, 
UNcovered by the Almighty’s plan AND power, revealing FOR 
Him or as against Him that everlasting, enduring, sorrowing 
part ye did fetch TO Him AFTER His miracle worked FOR 
you to save you FROM yourselves. 

My part is done. But not my part for Him. Service through 
His time IS every soul’s part. As here I stamp my thumb, I 
live, have lived, must live on, too, nor can any “die” who emit, 
leave a worn-out body. Must they, all, bring forth out of that 
coil OF His A spirit He did devise therein FOR Him AND 
His eternity. Be warned OF me, Shakespeare, who would save 
you from His closed door, from the rough handling of time, 
where His limited minds, scorned OF Him for all time sow 
AMONG their kind, NOT of Him. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit. 

(To S. T. S.) For HER Book of proof) 

March 8th, 1922. N. Y. C. 


194 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Back From The Dead 

Original Paper taken at the typewriter. S. T. S. 

THE CLAIMS OF THIS SPIRIT SHAKESPEARE 

First: I claim I AM myself here IN a bodylike form WITH 
members, too, HAVING arms as hands upon those and 
digits then upon those hands as when I lifted the coals to 
MAKE a fire when IN a body to warm the members of 
flesh, which was then Shakespeare, a poet, dramatist. And 
I HAVE proved all this claimed of me through several good, 
honest mediums, non-professional as of the profession, who 
describe my form, and garments, too. Set up a counter¬ 
claim, but see that YOU prove me otherwise THAN Shake¬ 
speare. 

NEXT: I, Shakespeare do here flaunt my glove in ANY face 
deriding me as I am, a spirit. For WITH my product, 
proof, as evidence brought forth FOR the so-called “dead” 
have I now proved their case: they LIVE: we HAVE never 
“died” nor passed on, away, or ARE we (( at rest” “in peace.” 
This have I proved to all from Coast to Coast. With 
declamation, too. Tried out by savants, priests, and the 
like, as skeptics. For spirits have I, Shakespeare surmounted 
obstacles UNsurmountable for YOU as well as for US, 
IN spirit, TO lay this low, that we are NOT here, HAVE 
“Died” and so on. 

Then: Then, if, for myself AND souls this is forever laid low, 
surmounted by my personal sorrows through wide fields, 
stratas of obstructions, THAT we still live-on, enjoy, as well 
as ache and sorrow, too, aplenty, I do claim FOR you 
doubters of THIS age you have it proved FROM spirit BY 
spirit AND by me, Shakespeare. 

Last: If Scientists canNOT agree to share their honors of dis¬ 
covery, or put on the breastplate of war FOR us, we HAVE 
solved life’s eternal proof withOUT Scientists who claim to 
HAVE discovered old things God has kept from US, spirits, 
still, yet do they exp lain All while denying Him birthright. 
If their archives were emptied out what a spill of proof 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


195 


’twould be. To be sure THEY know, have known, but it 
would not befit them to expound to mortals all they found 
and found they COULD not find-out, for, being ever watch¬ 
ful of one another jealousies might creep in. So' they de¬ 
fame the instruments OF discovery, calling them vile 
epitaphs, lies, to protect their wits. Yet I expound no new 
discovery. MY Master knew the truth OF spirit return 
as well as that the two universes were together. The hour 
of His departure, say you? Always, say we. HE lived 
among the universes at One with all. YET He was the man 
of sorrows. 

By His Holiness, AND silence, broke I His everlasting law 
and rent asunder FOR Him and His glory to endure past 
your body a door of His, a thin partition, WITH prayers 
lest I trespass BEYOND repair the instrument I borrowed 
FOR Him, that I, Shakespeare, IN spirit, might perform 
OUTside my hide a miracle FIT for Him, my God, AND 
my Father, too. I claim my work complete. Full the bins 
stored at great risk FOR all who love me AS my enduring 
fame. Then have I REpaid, as spirit can, the love of multi¬ 
tudes mixed with earth who look on me here, HAVE helped 
me, too, AT this work of mine to bless His kingdom. 

Science can rest, now. The despised of them and their 
kind have I NOT used, needed not. But with one of the 
same wires they used FOR me as I stood back for their 
service, have I done THEIR work for posterity. 

Until the stars weep AM I here. If oceans dry and 
they sleep in their beds can THEY do LIKE AS I WITH 
my wire. Past YOUR discovery, men of tools AND delv¬ 
ing powers, is all here proved BY spirits themselves through 
one of those derided By ye IF ye fail to connect WITH the 
everlasting supply through them. They are false, you cry, 
else WE should have done this thing long ago. I despise 
ye men dribblers that ye are, knowing all, establishing all, 
keeping silent, all of ye, lest ye BE derided FOR the work 
done now BY me through her. I claim this is MY miracle. 
IF God handed me a tool so fine and true and rich in selfless 
power, it too is a miracle FOR me performed. Out of that 
sea ye sail with steam sink ye a draft of nets and see YOUR 


196 


MY Proof of Immortality 


chance to make a work from what ye find, pull up, and over¬ 
board, the same. No words of mine suffice. Substance, 
what is IT. THEN, what is all powers not OF it, I ask. 
Ride the wind and see. Then would I tell of her human 
side. Denial FOR my cause I had to swear was His to 
GET a line on (which was true) Learn OF this IF ye 
prosper WITH a wire FROM spirit side beSIDE a spirit 
encased, using both at all times of work, claim I now. 

Had ye men of Science a plea for His soul INside that 
case ye fiddle with and on ye might do more. His wonders 
wrought FOR you, which take no part in YOUR “dis¬ 
coveries” may astound you later, when ye grip them here 
where dying holds you in its grasp of life: breathless, en¬ 
during Life. Amen. 

Feb 21st. 1922. NYC. 


(This is the original copy made on this machine) 

“We shall finish these three narratives before dinner hour.” 
W. S. Spirit. 

THREE GHOST STORIES BY THREE GHOSTS 

(No fables these) W. S. 


Ghost No. I 

We shall not ASK you to believe in us, but see if we live 
who write this true narration FROM Ghostland. I shall not call 
proper names, as this would be unfair to those who call them¬ 
selves “living”. WE live: you “die” each day. But hold. Begin. 

My shade is six feet, yes, and more, withOUT slippers, to 
be candid. Why I must state this you will discern later on. 
You see if I told you now this might not be read. But follow 
on. Clumsy as I seem now to myself, in dress of court, my 
limbs were fallow, and, admired. We stalk the sky UNcared for 
now, though much the same in dress AND manner, even man¬ 
nerisms. 

To be read still, after my bones have moulded away and 
gone into earth’s storehouse, is to have been an immortal, I pre¬ 
sume. Then, I WAS such, am while I do write hereon. Im- 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


197 


mortal? you say: Why, yes,—Shakespeare himself heads the 
eternal living ones, so far as human touch and praises go. He 
will not die, forever. Thus I make MY bow: one chance only 
being mine in THIS number of relations, at least. To BE read, 
discussed, AND impunged AFTER demense, while one looks on, 
hears You: this has been MY fate AS one soul UNdying AS 
His ghost. Not the ghost of himself, No,—no. As man I am 
little changed at all. Pursuits the same, as this one working 
shall bear me out,—altered NOT in aspect, but character: this 
AM I, Shakespeare IN His soulland. 

Then I hear the surmises as to my body AND works, 
parentage, loves AS hates. And I choose not to set you right, 
at least HERE. I AM man still. Able to perform ALL func¬ 
tions of living as usual, not interested IN these now as was of 
old, yet nothing changed so much as humans think who call us 
“dead”. I wear my clothes, too. None others, yet. My plumes 
decorate ME. Advertise me, yes. ALL wear THEIR SAME 
robes; indefinitely, let me presume. YOU will not change Your 
mode. All will glance AT You, knowing Your bend of mind 
AS soul, too. All You lost in “life” service. In for life, is your 
mode of expression: out forever, is the truth here in spirit. 

You have my several volumes bound which I did write in 
shade shape truly, knowing now the truth for which I came to 
this one in the dark FROM the dark, too, to pay my tithe, my 
bill I owe. When You come to look over your accounts, your 
debts, You too will count profit and loss, if not the same as 
I HAVE, you will count it one other way. But you will pay. 
For you must pay. 

Then, DO you believe IN ghosts, say I? Still ignorant of 
that for which a Teacher was sent you from God, say I. Then 
pay THAT also, say I here. It will burden and tax you beyond 
my own indebtedness, I can add for you. 

If you would have me sputter at some yarn to affright you 
from the dead I say I need not draw upon my purse strings here 
to accomplish this, nor use my wits. Should you SEE the world 
WHERE I stand this hour it were enough to scare you INto 
belief IN Ghosts. A queer conglomeration of souls look on us 
here while I do write to enlighten you OF ghosts myself. 

All come here UNprepared for what they find here. Not 
one, none with cowl either, has had an eye opened to bare the 


198 


MY Proof of Immortality 

facts AS they are. In “heaven” you say, as you glance upward. 
Well, May-be so. I can-not tell that, yet. 

I do hope it true. It MUST be so, since He departed thither 
AFTER He had paid all to His Father He owed Him. Must 
everyone be BORN then to BE crucified, ask you? Since none 
escape, perhaps this also is the truth. We see the world this 
hour FROM spirit. Know the results OF evil doing, wrongs, 
afflictions, murders, rapes, false standards of wealth, the use of 
power to grind men down and KEEP them ground, in hell. 

Now. I start in, AFTER my prelude FOR souls IN bodies as 
bodiless, but souls. 

We overtop the ordinary man by several good inches. As 
we pass along your thoroughfares we stop to glance at nets with 
fishes or without, as was our wont when carrying a purse. Some 
few times back, in the century afar gone, I know not which one 
just at present, while I was thus walking with my chum in spirit 
to attend a performance of a Clerk who stole and had no bail or 
bond, we stood for the moment beside a poor wench idling her 
time before the windows of the rich. We paused to find her 
mind. Thoughts are reverberate with us. We hear you speak 
as you think. Or, you think aloud, as sometimes said. 

The woman was envious, plainly so, with empty head. HER 
soul was missing, as WE say here, to one another. Yearning 
for the things purchasable, in other words. ALL women 
SHOULD have finery. It becomes them so much. No matter 
what station they fill, it should be theirs NOT to HAVE to 
yearn for a bit of soiled lace of web-like delicacy, or a sparkle 
on a ribbon, if ONLY a garter. 

She bore traces of the utmost refinement, and we followed 
her home. What was her caste in life’s play OR workaday 
existence, we wondered, as we tramped along, witnessing the 
struggle with bitterness going on WITHIN that mind GIVEN 
for a high motive. Our sums are worked out differently than 
your sums. We divide when you multiply, add when you sub¬ 
tract. You must then follow US perforce to see OUR addition. 

Could You perform a wonder for a man, all empty handed 
BUT for your mind. I ask. Use this power TO work ONE 
thing of worth in your life of breath, and see our modes when 
we be powerless but FOR mind alone. 

ALL can, DO work WITH that surviving part: His part. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


199 


Must You begin here having HELP from other aids, you were 
installed BEFORE breath/^s. 

The woman we hated for her poverty inside a home of 
riches. Fashion mirrored the walls. Silence of shod feet, depth 
of interest of SOME occupant whoever chose this out. Our 
hats came off you may be sure. We STILL enjoy. KNOW too. 
Then why was she IN this strait, OF poverty; want is no thing 
of need; necessity is not ALWAYS a mothering. The rich 
HAVE needs aplenty uneducated know not. To uprise suddenly 
in wealth of sudden acquisition IS to need for much not drawn 
from storage. We knew this as we saw her doff her bonnet 
with out strings, heard her sigh, knew why she yearned, for what 
she yearned as well. 

“Claire,” she spoke out softly, as tho’ to herself. A maid 
rushed up to take her wrap. “Take off these horrid shoes:” 
she said. “They hurt.” 

“Is there any mail ?” she asked in a tired, drawling tone. 

“No, madam: no letters.” came the answer. 

She burst into tears. He had not written as he said he 
would. She had known it, feared to come home because of it. 
Let the flood pass. For it did, when she smiled, and turning to 
ME this delicate woman asked, “Who ARE you: and where did 
you COME from?” She SAW my shape: my form: though 
spirit, it was plain to HER who smiled AS she spoke thus. 

“I came from England,—a long while back. If you would 
take some advice I would help you.” 

“DO—Come closer,” she said. 

I stepped further up, doffing my cap with plume on its side, 
and bowed me low down graciously as court demands. Pleased 
was I to pick from the flock one whose eye was spiritual, even 
were she lacking in strain of mind. 

“You resemble Shakespeare! ARE you he?” This in a firm, 
even, unfrightened manner, as tho' we occupied the same world 
and kind of shape. 

“I AM the same. How did You know me?” 

“By your pictures and statues—” she replied to me. 

“ONLY?” said I. 

“Everyone living knows You.” said this one. 

“That includes me also,” said I. 

“I must be dreaming, or ill—it can’t be I am in my right 


200 


MY Proof of Immortality 


mind, now—the dead are not here,—are You here? Come up 
and touch my hand if you are.” 

Moving gently, ver-y gently across the carpet, I strode to 
touch the hand outheld. When I bent to kiss this shapely marble, 
she screamed! Screamed and ran up the stairway, out of sight. 
But I followed. There, she saw me not again. Though I beheld 
Her, the same, the very same as though we mounted side by side. 
She thought, racing along “What ever could that be? Maybe 
I am crazy. If he should put me away. Then he COULD 
marry her. I’ll nev-er tell that to a liv-ing soul. I wonder what 
he wrote beside Macbeth? I’ll look him up in the Library. That 
had witches in it, that play, and a cauldron. Murders, too. 
Why should Shakespeare be here? I’m afraid to go back into 
the parlour, now. Those shoes were Twenty-five Dollars at 
Dicks and Mumms: I’ll have to look elsewhere. Silver brocade 
at Twenty-four—four times 24 is: ? And a dress-maker by the 
day—. Do the DEAD stay here on earth? I wonder. Wasn’t 
that 7i»owderful! I must have seen a ghost. But HE wasn’t 
dead, he was alive. Just as much as I, only thin, or picturelike. 
I wonder if he were here, or could I be sick in the head from 
worry.” 

“Claire,—bring my tea: place it on the stand, and call 22400: 
and some one is ringing at the bell; hurry; bring up my port¬ 
folio when you come.” 

Ghosts. Souls which come and go, and, having gone ne’er 
return to bother more the ones without grace, promise, gentleness, 
mind-ful thoughts, appreciation, comprehension, unselfishness. 
Wandering immortals, minds to help, hearts to care, but tmcared 
for , unwanted , “dead”, to have no further rights, say, ambitions, 
professions, homes. Mere ghosts. Still. His souls, yours at 
YOUR fireside, hers at her table, his at his workbench, looking 
on able TO perform, suggest, but “buried” in your mind, done 
for until the trumpet blow from Gabriel’s lips. 

Half-developed, some mortals, who see a shadow but once,— 
once: to wonder if they were asleep—or, waking, were they 
sane. Others pull the curtain down with pins to close out 
THEIR OWN “dead” living ones, who hear, see, them. Fear. 
Of the. “dead”. Those dear “departed” (sic and sic) who stand 
by punished by YOU alone: through You, separated, and lonely: 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


201 


ON the same earth, yea, with the SAME love IN them as of 
yore. But “dead” as to you. Because you are so very dead IN 
mind you take no advantage of their experience to call them, 
speak TO them, hold them still in the same environs, even hearts. 

As one FROM the dead speak I out, a ghost. Do You 
believe? Come and See if I AM here. Bring Yours, your own, 
along WITH you: come find them living WITH bodies, able 
to speak, recall, prove all to You forevermore past any forbidding, 
counsel of money-makers, hiding the light of God under their 
hats, knowing all do live AND speak, if sought. 

Then will YE believe IN ghosts, being IN the body still,— 
wwafraid to speak, or hear from Mother, Father or Son who 
“died” not, passed not on, or away, nor rose, nor was buried,— 
but who lives, speaks AND hears all you think, say, surmise OR 
do NOT care to know. 

Then souls ARE ghosts. Immortal souls are all as mine, 
Shakespeare’s soul: His immortalities, spirits, shades, divisions, 
ghosts not to be snickered over for a jest, written out for affright, 
but SOUGHT for AND found as He bid YE ALL. His words 
ARE true. None but can BE found: found out, too. For thus 
souls grieve when “dead” to theirs, forgotten in cemeteries. Lost 
souls ARE these. Whither? To find Him who cares, must care, 
for eternity. 


THREE GHOST STORIES BY THREE GHOSTS 
Ghost No. 2. 


Ghostlike I had become. A wraith. Spun thin and seem¬ 
ing fragile. Whose yarn WAS I,—UNspun, I wondered. NOT 
myself, yet still my same self. My overcoat carried me not now, 
at least. I SAW “it” resting on the sheet. Where was I to go ? 

The fuss ALL women make was BEING made. Why? I 
was still alive. But could I tell THEM so. I would speak out 
to these who wept, bewailed my “dying”. Calling, I received not 
any answer. TO my call. 1 wept. At first, ALL spirits DO 
weep at their OWN demise, of body, flesh. THEY call AS I, 
receiving not any answer to THEIR call. WE see YOU. 




202 


MY Proof of Immortality 


HEAR all YOU say AND think, daring NOT to utter. O rapier 
thoughts! You wound AND kill! To slay withOUT cause: to 
decry the one who “rests in peace” but NEVER rests at all. 

Then we have just BEGUN to play our parts when breath 
is stilled, the current turned off, we say now here. Ay. Just 
begun. Knowing You and ALL you think or thought OF us we 
change OUR minds, verily, OF you. Sometimes, and oft. Has 
any mortal a thinking process silent TO ghosts, I ask, think you ? 
Seeming plays no part in spirit. Its paltry exited WITH breath¬ 
ing. You ARE what you are, verily, no more to hide, BE hidden 
BY buffoonery, complacency, airs and the like. Your SOUL 
IS you. To become your better part, slide away from that foul 
smelling clay which must be washed, scented, powdered, rubbed 
AND fed: IS to “die”. 

What are your interests THEN ? say you. Where to devise 
forever? What, also. Currents still useful, strong of power 
too, these: yet to what shall you apply them now? You “died” 
ARE “dead” it seems to everyone alive except to those IN 
shadow like forms, like your “new suit”, who neither comfort 
you nor can. 

After so much time IN spirit form, with those OF spirit, 
must I still speak so to tell you the unvarying truth about demise. 
And I would not alter His weights OR measures for Him. We 
bemoan our own passing invariably. We become naught to ours 
IN flesh, suddenly, without warning oft. With the power TO 
comfort these denied, what think you a spirit’s paradise? could 
be ? Our hearts change NOT. Thus would I make THIS plain 
to all. SOME never change from bad to good: some do from 
good to bad when they find themselves “alive” without power to 
he heard OR seen, to carry OR fetch again, as was their wont 
IN body. 

We are demised. Well, what OF it. There’s a freedom to 
it. You can escape all debts: save One, all debtors. You need 
none who need not you, tis true. Carried away from the place 
where you “departed” FROM breath, by those who intend only 
good FOR you, who have not died, but must perforce understand 
what “dying” means, at least, to You who have just stepped across 
the border, you stand OR sit, astonished, unable to receive the 
ghost of yourself, if I could be so frank WITH you now. This, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


203 


is all, there is, left. The left-over part. The coil laid by, un¬ 
needed, wonderful to you, now that YOU, silent, in waxlike form, 
closed to YOUR voice even. O monstrous cruel, O hideousity 
of life, to cheat you thus, you scream (some scream)—could you 
go back, but TO the threshold, what a different You would come 
forth hither as the breath OF God. Yea, souls must see them¬ 
selves. What would you? To cry unendingly through time to 
waste your eternal power preserved FOR His cause, whatever 
’tis. Bemoan no fate which sends you hence TO weep, if you 
but weep for that old shape of fallen clay! 

Armies are here, great battalions of the “gone” and “de¬ 
parted”-some are in The Army still, with guns and bayonettes, 

oh yes, still—claiming themselves captured but un-dead. True. 
Souls do not comprehend their predicament at once: if sent out 
sudden this is always true. Monstrous, you claim. More, say I. 
Would You escape this predicament yourself, then, if you could 
do it? Would you, man OR woman, reading this I write FOR 
you from spirit shape. Then read between these lines no curse 
of mine, but say I translated FOR you the exactness of situations 
past the grave. ’TIS true. All true. And, more is true I tell 
you not, but leave you to experience with out preparation. To 
“die” is NOT to escape: God forbid. But to see as never before 
all you would you HAD escaped forever. 

Can you bear it NOW, I ask? Brunt of His revealment 
would I SAVE YOUR soul. Then make no answer to it. But, 
in the small hours of night when souls gather FOR ye TO warn 
ye for Christ’s sake, step forth to greet your saviours from 
“death”, living with sense AS courage TO warn you that ye may 
BE gathered as from “death”, which ends not anything but FOR 
the Living souls escaped, alive, silent as to voice ye hear, unseen 
BY you, finally unknown OF you, when forgotten you place them 
in vaults to wait until some judgment day which has not come, 
may never come, while they look on, on You. 

To BE a ghost, become accustomed to ghostlike frameless 
form, is to find in His time an eternal enigma unsolved by spirits 
OR mortals OF mind, unrevealed to us who learn to apply our 
minds, run a thread for Him. 

Why would ye fear a ghost? Could ye see the throngs ye 
mix up with whose forms occupy space wherever it is, would you 



204 


MY Proof of Immortality 


know you are not immune FROM these though you occupy cell 
or pulpit, plain, or hill, or swamp. 

To tell of our longings the next ghost will: and those who 
joke at our expense. Fools of Wisdom. Ghosts joke over their 
senseless heads, to MAKE a joke of God’s enigma, work of 
wonder, preserved mind. 

How have I bided the time when I could walk before my 
curtain once more to tell in my spirit shape the foul treatment 
back of the curtain “death”. No homes, bare backs, unhoused 
in fact. 

While spirits ply at embroideries of fiction, weaving shim¬ 
mering colors, building excellencies to content minds o’erburdened 
in grief, while I contend were the facts known mortals would 
strive to better themselves and FREE their souls from immortal 
suffering. It IS hell to be housed without in His elements where 
we may roost not, nest even. 

Works of God defy Him when they breathe against His plan. 
We know this by our present status here. Yet we do contend if 
mortals share this sop from a dish made excellent for their 
palates, they profit nothing from the bite. Absolutely unitd in 
this arena are souls, my soul and others more comely too, all share 
this existence for their hours of penance, or repentance, or what¬ 
ever His plan; I cannot see. 

The Catholics know this is true, but absorbed in their worldly 
gain fbr gold and profit they live as others OUTSIDE the fold, 
undertaking no crusade for souls, lest THEY starve. For a 
bellyfull of plenty these winebibbers taste and nibble in cells, 
monks with shaven heads, sisters of the poor (ay, some ARE 
poor too) while we who earned a king’s ransom making fools for 
fun, run naked, homeless, poor with a poorer lot. 

Some say, What of his cap and feather? Ay, What. I can 
transcend immortality at times to show my gown and slippers. 
It would seem so then. I have a secret still. My trunk must 
soon arrive. 

Out of our memories are we clothed. As mind pictures 
results follow, flow entire. The flood rests all in Mind. Cen¬ 
tered or not—on raiment it is brought forth comely, rich, har¬ 
vested as was the crop which fell at passing. May I transgress 
a moment. 


By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


205 


THREE GHOST STORIES BY THREE GHOSTS 
Ghost No. 3. 


Well, here we were, at last. Gone Home. To Paradise. 
Where we should find all pain and pains obliterated, m ethought. 
A living witness of the truth am I, a living man in ALL his parts 
the same, having demised, passed out OF his body, come to tell 
you folk who grin and smack of learning so great it inCLUdes 
not His shades, which am I one. But one. 

Well, what OF it, You say to me, if you care that I take on 
your part as WELL as mine own,—What OF it? That is why 
I speak to her: to tell You OF MY part AS ghost, spirit, soul, 
come here to find one to help me tell you after many years laid 
low of body dust. Thus you admit me being able, if not worthy, 
to speak. 

I take here the part of him who KNOWS whatever path HE 
followed, the GOOD angel awaits him with a scroll of pardons. 
When you find the train is in, and no one has met you, what of it. 
Just a disappointment. You hurry along, and, somewhere ON 
the road you see them watching from their tower FOR you. No? 
Then you have missed the sweetness of living with bones to 
crack, say I. 

But when you have arrived and take your place wherever 
you belong , indicated by the light you have brought with you, it 
may astonish you were I to tell you that yours MAY be further 
along on some OTHER road, where you are not yet WISE 
enough to meet them, having made a fool of yourself too long 
BEFORE you arrived on THIS train. I desire that you learn 
OF me, a ghost. Thus I make no delay in warning you to look 
out for the light which you carry, which is your inward spirit, 
soul, ghost, you deride OF me who writes here. That I AM an 
immortal makes no odds, I am merely an immortal spirit, the 
same are you. No immortalities count with the Great Giver but 
His. Into His eternity IT swings. Back of IT IS His plan 
FOR it, You. Now I come to that point from which I started. 
Out into the wind and rains, into thin air, for all of His. time, 
UNless you obeyed his laws For you, created He for His chil¬ 
dren. / want you to know of this. It is true: you will find it 
true: I found it true. 

Here AM I then, able to tell you. How can this be, ask 



206 


MY Proof of Immortality 


you. Without mine head COULD I BE here, wits count here, 
be sure, man. You live WITH power TO think, Create at will, 
even to force creation upon others, sometimes OF wit, sometimes 
witless ones, seeking the light, imable to furnish it for others, 
except through our powers. Make not light of this. Many of 
tongues, have never written a speech for the Judge or Houses, 
yet HAVE learned to rely upon us unseen ones who read not any 
more from literature, but apply ourselves to all that IS spoken 
OF you, by you, too. 

What shall I do to be saved from SUCH a fate, you ask me 
now. Have I not told in several books my end, why I came thus 
to prove it, how you SHOULD reach out in bodies before com¬ 
ing hence to loss? Read these words written at such great ex¬ 
pense of years of labors, silence drawn upon and yielding profit 
TO you who CAN still learn, and will TO be whole. 

When You find yourself arrived, into His futurity, true, you 
will hold my words dearly, then. But the heart pulse shall have 
stopped, then, and your chance be lost, I fear, if you do not ap¬ 
pend TO my words FOR you, these also. 

I sham not. Fie. COULD a ghost, who knows his lacking 
impose upon the world who reads, as loves him still, a lie ? What 
should become OF such an one, I ask. Have I a Heavenly 
Father to Whom I hope to go when comes His time, I ask you ? 
What must I have accomplished, then, to hold my line intact FOR 
Him, when His chance cometh. I ask. For I KNOW Not. 
Only surmising by the findings in my count, I warn ye. It 
MUST be so. 

We are surrounded by many fools. Useless to create these 
still. Nor WOULD I. I found my self one made by myself and 
my own self only, let me add now for all mankind. Who alters 
their mode for a sham. Who sets up a candle on a bayonet 
lacking a candle wick, or stick, COULD I so do. 

Then play no more with MY part, but look to your laurels 
when back of His curtain YOU step. Swing were better, for 
it IS a swinging. You lie down to take a long rest, think you. 
Nay. Not an instant of rest take you. You swing back to the 
original, from which you came to be, being out of shell, a worm 
still, who can no more fly than a boulder can take wings. Mind, 
I CAME TO tell ye of it. (You will now rest.) 

IF, then, I am he who wrote my sonnets, plays, and more , 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


207 


which where is it or is not maketh little difference to a soul. I 
AM the ablest OF my kind IN cone still, I warrant ’tis so. Tell 
me, has anyone of You “died”, passed on, as you call it (would 
I were it so) to COME back FROM the dead to take a part? 
Snicker not, revile not ANY soul. YOUR time, too, comes. If 
I CAN warn ye, DO, WITH my soul-part, still alive, and more, 
WOULD ye receive a Shakespeare dead who came back, then, 
FOR ye? Say now. Take some active part. Sit not by with a 
closed tongue in that head ye will find useless soon. Would I 
rather ye reviled me, as is your wont to do. My soul I GIVE 
through time, far-back, till now, that ye COME forth as He in¬ 
tends, TO share WITH Him His Home. Has ANY done so 
much for ye? Spit upon my leaves OR covers, but revile not 
this part I take FOR you, my evil, disloyal, prating philosopher. 
Time moves by. We count His time in rows. Spangles tell us 
of the hour, the day, as month. Lights are we. But lesser, dim* 
sparks OF Him, maybe: I trust ’tis so. We think it true. 
Severance OF ties: what of these. To meet not those you love, 
again, O where IS God if This BE true. Grief, allied alike to 
none ye HAVE known IN body, then you find where, belated as 
you are, you stand AMONG strange sights. Strange wigs. 
Nudged oft in the ribs by some ye wish not well! O strange, 
and foul. That it has come to this. All hope you had, all life 
you held, that WHEN you “died” ’twas to GO TO Him, Who 
had a Father’s heart for you. 

It is not true. It IS not true. It is NOT true, say I, 
Shakespeare’s ghost, today. Perhaps You go, I stay on here, 
think you of smirks and jeers, who read me now. You, go? If 
l who serve Him still have NOT BEEN called? As yet, have I 
not been. What is YOUR paper, then. For I would see it. 
Learn Of it. Hold forth, it must be known. Too many starve 
to know. Nay,—be not discouraged too soon by me, if ye have 
known the way, and followed it through out your time of days. 
Then, would I speak to one better than nuns, priests, mothers, 
children, AND virgins. These ARE here. Why? Where going? 
From whence ? Could you build on it any MORE than I ? Time 
shall see. 

If we, who followed not, as knowing our lacking parts cftd 
offend far into these wheels OF time, until now, how CAN you, 


208 MY Proof of Immortality 

coming next week, mayhap, or year, if so, be able to UNdo it all 
withOUT repayal. 

Ransack your knowledge. Tell if ANY pray this hour. Or, 
if praying do they feel His pulse belongs to Him? I wait FOR 
your early surmise. Surmise ’twill be too. You have NOT died. 
Take down my warning writ FOR ye FROM my time. Place 
this book where none before throUghow* His time has rested: on 
HIS shelf. Send forth YOUR courier-wraith and FIND the 
like of selection AND means, and all things ready and put up 
TO serve, then will ye know SOMEthing OF demise. 

I go. A ghost. Yes, nothing BUT a soul. Pass on. Take 
any road you may select, MY shoes I leave for YOUR feet, now, 
and here. 

Wm. Shakespeare, whose spirit, soul, shade IS speaking 
from eternal shores where are His sons AND 
daughters, better than in the world where we 
look on surmising what punishments may He 
hold for slackers. 

Direct, audible voice dictation. (To S. T. S.) 

This is the original taken at the machine. 

No other copy. 

Jan. 5th, 1922. N. Y. C. 


PART II 


SCIENTIFIC PROOF, EVIDENTIAL PROOF 
Of Survival AFTER DEATH OF MEMORY, 
Personality, Love, And Affection. Proof, Which 
Only Spirits COULD Give, In Each Case. 





211 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

SCIENTIFIC SPIRIT PROOF 

The Searchlight Of Truth. His Father’s business: bearing 
witness to the truth. Of our selves, we can do nothing. “The 
Son can do nothing of himself,” said Jesus. 

- W. S. in Spirit. 

Scientific, Evidential Proof, of survival AFTER death of 
MEMORY, PERSONALITY, LOVE, AND AFFECTION. 
PROOF, WHICH ONLY A SPIRIT COULD GIVE, IN 
EACH CASE. Proof of the personal identity of the dead who 
are communicating. Conclusive evidence of the continuity of 
consciousness. Undeniable truth. Every name found herewith 
is given to the world for the good of the world. Thus, each 
helps in establishing the truth of immortality, with Shakespeare’s 
help AND guidance FROM spirit life. Should any wish THEIR 
name stricken FROM this record OF my soul, take OFF that 
name. My time was given, as WELL as proof, to each one, 
mortal, with name hereon. THESE names 1 immortalize. 

Shakespeare’s soul. (Direct voice to S. T. S.) 

Herein will be found, complete, the evidence brought forth 
through MY labors. As these souls stand before YOU can YOU 
say these are “dead”, I ask. Each soul expressing now was 
brought forth BEFORE my curtains FOR you, AND yours, 
following AFTER, that ye might NOT deride His hereafter, OR 
His divisions. AS my soul speaks now, IS heard, FOR ye all, 
these spake for THEIRS to them. 

Many thousands HAVE spoken to theirs IN bodies by my 
diligence AND searching. These few herein stated are AMONG 
the great numbers brought forth into HEARING ONLY by my 
soul, as they stood erect before ME, Shakespeare, IN soul shape. 

My hand and seal hereon. 

My soul part, as my sole part, for the living dead 

who care NOT if theirs DO live this hour of Grace. 
In His Name, FOR His cause, eternal life, 
Spirit. 

(Sir) Wm. Shakespeare. My name the same. My 
body changed for lack of weight. My hands 
clean, AS my soul part. Hearken ye. Hearken 
ye. 

(To S. T. S. By word of mouth spake I FROM 
“death”.) 



212 


MY Proof of Immortality 

. . BACK FROM THE DEAD.” 


“If one CAME back from the dead they would not believe 
him.” Though, if thousands ARE here and never died, being able 
to prove this themselves, will you believe these? —W. S. in Spirit. 

The Dead Have NOT Died. The Living Dead Are Here. 
Spirits Are Mortals Without Frames: no less: not more. The 
Living Speak Having Tongues. The Language of the Dead is 
speech soundless but the same, and, apprehended. To educate 
mortals so that the living shall partake of our lives is our pur¬ 
pose, though it seems at this age a task all but hopeless. 

The Dead Who Never Died Are Here. YOUR schools 
inCLUDE mind-training, but are insufficient in spirit-u-al (soul) 
training. Until Universities include all, universal souls cannot 
weigh their experiences, helpfulness, for mankind’s profitable 
learning. 

Water and air are God’s unsurmountable enigmas still. Thus 
spirit seems incomprehensibly slow in adjustments OF mind 
from the super states. 

Our Wireless Words, Phrases, carry further than light and 
travel faster too. We do not “come back” who never drifted 
farther than the nearest portal. We serve AS servants. Some¬ 
times, as slaves. FOR mortals I say who wrote my Plays, 
Sonnets, rhyme, you can NO T go on OR in, but remain HERE, 
unless banished FOR crimes while IN A body. No divergence 
FROM this. 

College courses do not include our subdivisions OF mind, 
intelligence, forms, (symbols) 

Intelligence is slow to mount the barriers of God, HIS mind 
is too illumined still for us who beCAME His likeness AFTER 
change OF bodies. 

Mind’s attributes, what ARE these, I hear you ask. If His 
Great Heart is not comprehensible how can His children reflect 
Him at all IN themselves. To pick open His pods belying His 
purposes ye MAY regret time wasted of no benefit to yourselves. 
May His Hand alone scatter OR plant, hide AND reveal, ask me 
not. I am yet BUT a man, THOUGH a shade. 

Learning must include His proof of life eternal THOUGH 
demised, before His sums can BE worked at all. 

“Sign Me Shakespeare’s Soul.” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


213 


TO THOSE WHO FIND THEMSELVES WRITTEN 
HEREIN 

If Jesus 7 proof had been sufficient, this book would not have 
been written. Eternity consoles few today. Immortality fewer. 
While spirits are called only “evil”(?) if they can speak. 

History must repeat itself or become obsolete? Then are 
these spirits re-recording for the Almighty, as well as for yours 
in spirit, and the spirit of Shakespeare, whatever is found herein 
from spirit side. 

That I could bring the truth and comfort to such small num¬ 
bers, absolute proof that theirs in spirit lived beside them, accom¬ 
panied them, knew all that had transpired since “death”, is my 
never ceasing regret for mortals. It will be testified of me per¬ 
sonally, that I never stopped so long as a spirit would talk or I 
could hear their voices, were it several hours for a colored girl 
whose Grandfather was a full blooded Choctaw who stood in 
spirit beside me wearing his feather bonnet, telling of his rites, 
secrets, well known to the girl who was his direct descendant. 

That I must use all proof in my possession to help this spirit 
of Shakespeare prove himself true, is to> say to each one who 
reads of theirself herein, you, too, helped him on his way. And 
why should You have been selected, by some strange fate, to be 
one of the few for whom a miracle was performed from spirit 
by the help of Shakespeare’s Spirit. Please try to be grateful 
for your experience, and that you could help on the cause of 
Spirit, and His proof of eternal life. The spirits tell me that 
they are helped by every chance to prove this from spirit. Sel¬ 
dom is any spirit even an ingrate. These return to help me for 
my gift of time and ability for them, and You. 

This is a book gathered for a very different purpose than 
for publication. Much of it is on file in foreign countries. For 
God’s record, that others may be helped by our experience. That 
the Clergy may know a hand moves the curtain even if they 
cannot see that hand. Adjustments of men’s minds at this time 



214 


MY Proof of Immortality 


of doubt, paganism, by, from, spirits themselves, may help the 
God who gives and takes souls, spirits. 

Then, below on this line, is my affidavit, signed before the 
Notary Public, that every word claimed or written herein is the 
truth, as God sees me, and hears me. 




" lOrK /• ^ x i% 



Miracles of Proof to be found in the record of my work. 
(Sarah T. Shatford.) 

Miss Lilian Whiting was told at Hotel Brunswick, Boston, 
“as proof that this is Kate” (Kate Field) “I mention a charm 
under glass, worn on a long chain about the neck, by you and me 
and another across the sea, where you left it.” This, Miss 
Whiting told me, was a lock of Mrs. Browning’s hair, given her 
by the Field family after Kate passed out, which Miss Whiting 
gave to Robert Browning for his daughter, when she was in Italy 
collecting the data for the Browning Books, as she thought that 
was what Kate would have liked done with it.” 

Dr. Austin, after Dr. Peebles death, in Los Angeles, at the 
Clark Hotel, in the presence of Miss Louise Hauschild, of New 
York, was told by the spirit of Dr. Peebles, after a description 
of what he found in spirit, “I see you have an apron full of my 
books delivered at your door. Science has now solved this 
matter. But Medical Libraries will be glad to have these.” “That 
is surely the Doctor,” said Dr. Austin, “for last week I received a 
hundred of his books on vaccination.” As we had been in Los 
Angeles less than forty-eight hours, seen no one we knew, this 
was proof that the Doctor was there, surely. Also, Beatrice, his 
daughter, described how she was laid out, in white with roses in 
her arm, and kept telling of the light that came in a circle over her 
bier. “That would describe the detail, for she was laid out in the 
morgue, and this light did come out and over the body. This 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


215 


daughter told also how she was present beside her Mother “as she 
sat sewing on the buttons in the dining room, and talked to her, as 
she spoke aloud to the spirit, and they must not worry because she 
did hear, and could speak to her Mother.” That is understood, 
also, said Dr. Austin. 

M. W. Howard, Congressman, Author of Peggy Ware, The 
Bishop of The Ozarks, etc. In the presence of Miss Hauschild, 
also, in the Hotel Clark, Los Angeles. After his father had 
proved he was not dead but there with this son, as he told of 
all his plans for his Picture, acting, etc., all understood. Mr. 
Howard’s Mother, in spirit, described their Alabama home, the 
long rows of com, and then herself, and said: “Do you recall 
the old well?” Yes, said Mr. Howard, what about it? “We 
put you to bed with hot flannels,” said this spirit, “he fell in.” 
“That is wonderful, wonderful,” said Mr. Howard, “but I know 
my Mother is with me.” 

Mrs. King, friend of Mrs. Peaseley, Author, Lecturer, Los 
Angeles, address Rowny Press, whose people in spirit asked her, 
“Do you remember when lightning struck the house with the 
pointed gable?” “Yes, indeed,” said Mrs. King. “Do you remem¬ 
ber how the snakes used to follow you, and how you used to kill 
them in the middle of the road, by striking them on the heads 
with stones?” “Yes, indeed,” said this woman. 

Mrs. Peaseley: same address: L. A., Calif. 

Hers in spirit said, “Do you remember the cold, winter night, 
when the snow was deep on the ground, and went crunch, crunch, 
under foot, when the chimney burned out?” “I certainly Do ,” 
said Mrs. Peaseley. This home was then described in detail. 
Acknowledged. 

Mr. J. F. Rowny was told of his cellos, how he kept time 
with his foot (I had eight at one time, said he afterwards), his 
little water colors, were described by his in spirit, and the “bank 
on the mantelpiece which was a little brick house, and which had 
to be full before it could be emptied?” Recognized by Mr. Rowny. 

Mr. Carl Borg, Santa Barbara,—“I was said to resemble 
Patti,” said a spirit, who showed me a picture to describe for 
Mr. Borg (wonderful Swedish Artist) of a donkey, cart, and two 
children. This was recognized by Mr. Borg. And, after the 
sitting, he brought out the picture of this woman who resembled 
Patti. It was Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, who was his patroness. Con- 


216 


MY Proof of Immortality 


nected with this, and a miracle, too, was the Mulhall sitting for 
the Staff Editorial writer of the Examiner, of L. A. (see for¬ 
ward sheet) who, when it was revealed that he knew the Hearst 
publisher, through my work for his in spirit, was told of this 
picture, and he said, "I myself have seen this picture of the 
donkey, cart, and two children often in the Hearst home, in San 
Francisco.” 

Mr. Mulhall, of the Los Angeles EXAMINER EDITORIAL 
STAFF, had several hours of proof given to him, in Miss Haus- 
child’s presence, and he heard me give an artiste, absolute proof 
that her brother, a soldier in the late war was present, this artiste 
we only met in the Cafe, knew nothing of her or hers, and she 
gladly acknowledged all she received from the so-called dead, as 
being proof absolute they were there in spirit. Mr. Mulhall was 
refused space in the paper for the truth, the acting Editor, Mr. 
Van Ess saying, “This is not what we are looking for for publica¬ 
tion.” (See Miss Hauschild.) 

Mr. D. P. Harris, Wholesale Hardware, 99 Chambers street, 

New York City.-Mr. Harris’s Father in spirit, described 

himself, told of the saw for woodsmen he always desired this 
son to invent, rather the sharpener for saws,—described his Nova 
Scotia home, lands, river, cemetery lot with the new monument 
with its wreath cut on it, the smoke house, how he used to saw 
the wood stove length but would not carry it in the house,—took 
out a knife from Germany, the spirit said “from Germany” that 
was brought over for him which he only used to pare his apples, 
told of the binoculars also his brought by this son, how he would 
never use the strap for them but preferred to carry them under 
his right arm,—described the route to the burial plot, how many 
turns and the little white fence around the land there,—while he 
proved by telling of the orders and finances of the Firm on a 
trip to the Coast just taken by Mr. Harris, that he, the spirit, 
went along, knew all that had taken place there, even to the light 
and color of the shade on it and the bed and outer covering 
across it, that was there, away out in San Francisco,—This spirit 
then held up in his right hand an onion, a white onion. I said 
to Mr. Harris, I do not understand the spirit, for he just turns 
this onion around and around, but he is smiling, while he does it. 
“Well,” said Mr. Harris, “I know what he means, IF THERE 
WAS ANYTHING MY FATHER HATED IT WAS AN 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


217 


ONION.” This same spirit described the little white smoke 
house on the Nova Scotia farm, with its roof, etc., as all the old 
time life, personalities were brought in. Mr. Harris’s Mother 
in spirit, presented herself, to the parasol in her hand, brought 
her by this son. She re-made the favorite dishes of this son, 
even describing how she marked off the calendar every day with 
a pencil, counting the days when he would return from New 
York. She described her bedroom and the wallpaper on it. Told 
how she lived in the kitchen while the house was remodeled, 
even though they thought she couldn’t, she managed to do this. 
She held up a green box filled with unbleached lisle hosiery, 
saying that he saw that she had these. Much more, all acknowl¬ 
edged true by Mr. Harris. As we discussed the wonder of 
their power to recall the past, his Father stepped back and 
said, “He is as sure I am here as you are.” “That’s right,” said 
Mr. Harris: “why that lamp with the green shade on it by the 
bedside, and that bathrobe over the foot of my bed, and those 
two customers, one that failed to order, and the other doubled 
his, why that was on my last trip to the coast just as he says, 
he was surely with me.” These things I merely recall offhand. 
There was much else, all individual, impossible for any one per¬ 
son to know outside the Harris family. 

Miss Jeanette Clenen: Finance Dept., U. S. A. Sunday, 
June 10, 1923. This afternoon, the spirits of this woman who has 
had messages for two years or more, brought in many fine evi¬ 
dences of their own presence. One I recall: “Sympathy never 
got you anything: this is FAN.” “Well,” said Miss Clenen, “that 
was a saying of Fan’s: she always said that to me.” Then the spirit 
said: “Do you remember what a time we had to find you a pair 
of rubbers that would fit?” “That is great,” said Miss Clenen; 
“for we used to walk miles to fit my walking shoes to overshoes.” 
I was not surprised to see Miss Clenen here this afternoon, for 
her Mother in spirit was in to see me and said, “She has a fine 
diamond pin you should have, she is selling it.” One of the 
first things Miss Clenen said was, “I have been trying to sell 
some diamonds for my cousin, up state.” This pin has twenty 
stones, in crescent shape: and it is natural that Miss Clenen’s 
Mother should wish me to profit by this sale, as she and all hers, 
back for two generations have visited with this daughter, for two 
years, spending whole evenings, sometimes in laughter, advising, 


218 


MY Proof of Immortality 


recalling old times, homes, furniture, occupations, diseases, family 
feuds, peculiarities, jewelry, clothes, food, habits, journeys, etc., 
etc., etc., etc. Miss Clenen’s address is Hotel Endicott, New 
York. 

Mrs. Amelia Bingham: Hers in spirit gave so much, all 
recognized, even his and their personalities, likes, etc., being very 
evident, even Mr. Bingham’s manner of speaking. Her parents 
gave her the most beautiful proof, long hours of it, that they were 
here and with her. Her Father told how he resembled Uncle 
Sam,—so much that he rode on a float at Fair time, with shocks of 
wheat, in Ohio, “WHERE YOUR MOTHER’S JELLIES 
TOOK THE PRIZE.” (Recognized true by Miss Bingham.) 
This Father then said, “Do you remember the colt I called ‘Seal¬ 
skin’ which I used to bring up on the porch, and your Mother 
would not allow me to fetch in the house?” “I do,” said Mrs. 
Bingham. “Do you remember when the chickens cackled I 
used to say, The girls are making another ‘angel’s cake’.” “I do,” 
said Mrs. Bingham. The Mother, too, was with her and proved 
it as only Mothers can. While her sister, too, told of the making 
of maple sugar, and the fun of reading the books and hiding 
them, and told of her passing, the cause, etc. Many hours of 
visits, as human as yours or mine, have Mrs. Bingham’s own 
had with her, through my development. 

A. H. Shatford, my husband, would not listen to anyone 
from spirit who pled to come in and give him proof that they 
survived. His Father, whom I nursed in his last illness, his 
Mother who loved me dearly, always speak to me, and do for 
me what they promised me while in the body they would do. In 
fact, they are present and prove it always before I get my 
living expenses allowed me each month by their son, sent by 
mail. One Sunday afternoon, this father, John E. Shatford, 
spoke to me from spirit, asking to tell his boy, who was read¬ 
ing a newspaper before me in the same room, that he was 
present and wished to prove it to him. My husband spoke, 
as usual, against spirits, and all this “nonsense.” When 
a spirit voice said: “ASK HIM WHAT ABOUT Alec” My 
husband dropped his newspaper in his lap, and with a startled 
look, said: “What about him?” “He is with you: says you will 
have the old machine overhauled and go on your joy-rides in 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


219 


Atlanta just the same this summer, but that he will not be with 
you.” “Now,” I asked my husband, “will you tell me who ‘Alec' 
is?” “That’s funny,” he was saying more to himself. “Who is 
Alec?” I asked again. “HE WAS MY BROKER’S TELEG¬ 
RAPHER IN ATLANTA (A BOY NINETEEN) WHO 
TOOK GALLOPING CONSUMPTION AND DIED IN SIX 
WEEKS.” 

Mrs. Helen Hayes, 968 Morris Ave. (American Bank Note 
Co.), New York. While giving my friend a message from her 
Mother in spirit, this Mother said: “To prove this is Mother 
I saw you when you mispelled that word while using your type¬ 
writer this afternoon. You have my red table cloth with fringe 
on it.” “That is true,” said Helen. “I misspelled the word ‘bureau,’ 
and did it the second time, and had to take out my sheet of paper 
and do it all over. That table cloth is full of holes, and I just 
can’t throw it away because it belonged to Mother.” Years of 
proof from all hers Mrs. Hayes has had, as we see each other 
every day, and spirits travel along with theirs, speak beside them 
in theatre, cars, anywhere mortals are. One evening, Mrs. Hayes’ 
sister in spirit called her name “Ida,” and said: “DO YOU 
REMEMBER WHEN THAT BARN FILLED WITH HAY 
BURNED TO THE GROUND?” “I should say I do,” said 
my friend. 

For fine, incidental proof, on Pullman cars, in Parks, Cafes, 
etc., I refer you to Miss Louise Hauschild, of the Schilling Press, 
Inc., who was present when I gave such en route to California, 
and in California, in 1922, for three months. Here, for this 
purpose, I mention several recent miracles, for unknown, and 
very grateful people. 

The Plumber, Kavanaugh: 

-As this man was working under the sink in my 

kitchen, I continued to use a hot iron, nearby. I never saw him 
before, nor since. A spirit spoke to me, saying: “This is my 
Boy. I should like to save him from going into business with 
a fellow the police are after. Can you speak for me ?” I replied: 
“Is he Catholic?” “He is: but he will not have to confess it.” 
I then said to the plumber: “Are you a Catholic?” He said, 
“Yes, I am.” “Then you do not believe in spirits, do you ?” “Oh, 
yes, we believe in them, but the priests don’t want us to have 



220 


MY Proof of Immortality 


anything to do with them/’ he said. “Not if they are your very 
own?” I asked. “Well, you see, that is what we don’t know, if 
they are our own,” said he. Then I told him that his Father was 
just now speaking to me from the spirit, and that he asked me to 
give him a message for him. I said, “if I give you proof that 
your father is here, will you confess it, and tell the Priest that 
I should like him to come and get a message for himself ?” “I will,” 
said the Plumber. The spirit began by describing himself, per¬ 
fectly, his trade (carpenter), his mode of disposing of his tobacco 
wad, his beer in the tin pail, when the whistle blew at Twelve, 
all and more, until this fellow, who had stopped his work, was 
sitting down on the kitchen floor, and said, “That is my father, all 
right.” Then this parent told him of his two offers for new jobs, 
and why he did not wish him to go into the Garage business 
with that fellow (all understood—) referred to his home, and its 
problems, all private matters, told him what to do, and ended by 
saying “if you wouldn’t drink that strong coffee before going 
to bed, you would sleep.” That is what I do, drink two cups 
of it, said the plumber. Then this fellow’s Mother, in spirit, gave 
a full description of herself, the little home in the country where 
he was raised, showed me the brook, and how he waded there, 
and said, “Who used to bring in little stones, pebbles, shells and 
the like, and SPREAD THEM OUT ON THE DININGROOM 
TABLE AND SAY, ‘Mother, come see what I brought you.’ ” 
The man nodded his head, Yes. She told him not to believe what 
was being said about a woman, there was no truth in it—it was 
all talk. “Do you know what she means,” I asked. Yes, he 
said. Then this Mother said, you know the girl about sixteen, 
fat, full red lips, teeth in front parted in center, with two heavy 
braids of hair, who was always laughing. (Yes, he said.) Well, 
she is here, too, with me, said his Mother. And much else, I do 
not need to record here. 

Two Insurance Solicitors for the Metropolitan Ins. Co., 
Haubrich and Mac- (512) Bronx. 

-Both received many fine messages of proof. They 

gave descriptions,—the father of Mac. was a Policeman, was in 
Uniform, with a badge on his coat, a medal for “protecting the 
Clergy,” said he. Describing this boy’s collie dog that used to 
jump for morsels, told of the family, at home, gave each a helpful 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


221 


message, describing them in the body, their problems, ambitions, 
etc. Told how his mother missed her old church in the down¬ 
town district where he and she went together to mass,—under¬ 
stood the malady she suffered, what caused it, sent her proof 
he was there, for her personally,—said to tell her the one 
SHE NEVER FAILED TO MAKE COFFEE FOR AT 
TWELVE MIDNIGHT IN THAT BIG TIN POT WITH 
THE WIDE SPOUT, WHO CAME IN WITH HIS GRAY 
MOUSTACHE ALL COVERED WITH ICICLES, AND 
HAD TO KISS EACH CHILD GOODBY BEFORE HE 
WENT OUT AGAIN, was here, and was with her, too, and 
he would be. All was recognized. It took no time at all to give 
this and more. 

Haubrich: The spirits went back to the second genera¬ 
tion for this young man, to the one who translated MSS from 
the original. His father then told him all he needed to know 
he was here, described himself, his violin, his hand, his favorite 
soup, the dining room of the home, and then said, ASK HIM IF 
HE KNOWS WHAT AMERICAN TOBACCO MEANS?” 
The man said, “I should say so: my father worked in it all his 
life.” The mother of this fine young man, that day did not 
come in. One night the bell rang and he stood at the door. When 
we sat down, and before he could speak to me, a spirit said, “He 
could not sleep wondering if father and mother were separated 
in the future life, and she brought him here again to you.” 
Asked if it were true, he said it was. This mother, then, began 
with her shoes, and described herself and clothing, and the pin 
“brush-work” she took off and showed me it opened at the back, 
and had a picture in it, an engraving upon it (recognized) and 
her heavy ring she would not take off “even when she mixed the 
dough” because of sentiment (recognized, all of it) and then she 
said “Do you remember the mole on my cheek and the long hairs 
on it you wished to pull out when a baby even though they 
might grow in worse than that?” “Yes,” he said. The Spirit 
Mother continued: “They said this boy resembled me. But 
I always said, ‘Oh, I don’t know about that: he is a good boy, 
and that is all that matters.’ ” Do you recall this, I asked Mr. 
Haubrich. He said, “Yes, I do.” There was much beside the 
few expressions and proof here told. 


222 


MY Proof of Immortality 

Evidential Proof: Los Angeles, May 25th, 1922. Room 635-637 

Hotel Clark. Los Angeles, Calif. 

Dr. AUSTIN, B. F. (Miss Hauschild present) 

Dr. B. F. Austin called. Through the entire afternoon Dr. 
Austin was given proof, and messages from his own, and from 
Dr. Peebles, in spirit. 

Dr. Austin’s little girl, with the ‘'Roman sash”, and hair 
with a glint in it, brown”—(recognized) A spirit guide, whose 
description was recognized: a man in Prince Albert coat, beard, 
etc. Mrs. Austin’s Mother and father in spirit, described and 
recognized. Dr. Austin’s own Mother: personalities given, such 
as “Here is the one who turned up the skirt of her dress and 
pinned it behind, when she went into kitchen.” “That’s Mother!” 
said Dr. Austin. Much else was given: this is the proof in¬ 
variably required before spirits can speak through my hearing, 
they must give sufficient to be recognized. Often the spirits go 
on with this proof for an hour before they give anything at all, 
as that is why I am used at this time FOR message work: to 
prove that the dead are living, and can prove this themselves 
if given the right opportunity. 

Dr. James M. Peebles then came from the spirit side of 
life as natural as in life, laid his felt hat on the top of the ward¬ 
robe trunk, and said to Dr. Austin: “I SEE YOU HAVE 
AN APRONFULL OF MY BOOKS UNLOADED AT YOUR 
DOOR. THE SUBJECT IS OBSOLETE, BUT THE 
MEDICAL LIBRARIES WILL BE GLAD TO HAVE 
THESE. THIS QUESTION IS NOW SETTLED BY 
SERUMS, AND INJECTIONS.” “True,” said Dr. Austin. 
“The books came last week from New York, and are on 
“VACCINATION”. Dr. Peebles then conversed with his old 
friend, called him “Brother Austin,” which he always had, gave 
him the Masonic Hand-clasp, told of what he had found in spirit, 
in symbolic terms. 

Beatrice Austin, in spirit, daughter of Dr. Austin, who had 
passed since my last trip to the coast, came with her brother 
Albert, stood near the door of my room. Wept. Begged her 
father’s forgiveness for her selfishness in taking her life, and 
much I do not care to write down, which was for her parents 
only. The evidential parts of her expressions were: She de- 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


223 


scribed her bier, “with the light that came down over it,” 
“where she stood by and saw herself laid out.” Her shroud 
and flowers in her arm. “That would describe the morgue where 
she was taken, and the bier, and the light,” said Dr. Austin. 
Then, Beatrice, this loved and loving girl, said; to her own 
Father, in the body: “I heard Mother talk out loud to herself 
in the room where she sews on the buttons, and Mother told 
you I was there, and I WAS THERE; tell Mother so, and that 
/ HEAR WHEN MOTHER SPEAKS OUT LOUD TO 
ME!” All this was recognized, with much else, all being found 
true by Dr. Austin. 


ALLING : 131 West 95th. St. Accompanied by Mrs. H. V. 
Wildman Sr. 108 W 94th St. 

(See letter appended) 

After reaching home from Mrs. Wildman’s the day before 
Christmas, a spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, “There is one 
who wore hoop-skirts here.” “From Wildman’s.” 

“Yes, that is Aunt Annie, I suppose,” I said. 

“We would like to take you to Mrs. Ailing’s Mother. Will 
you go. To Mrs. Ailing’s MOTHER.” I will try to go, I said 
to this spirit. And I asked what was the matter there, that they 
had asked me to go. “She needs comforting: you could do so 
much for US there,” said Mrs. Wildman’s Aunt, in the spirit. 

Then I record here that we went together, by appointment,— 
that Mrs. Ailing’s Mother was able to visit with hers in spirit 
all afternoon, that they all gave the minutest detailed descriptions 
of themselves, their former lives in the bodies, clothes, tastes, 
personalities etc. All very gratefully acknowledged by both Mrs. 
Ailing and her Mother. Last of all, a spirit son, described him¬ 
self, his failure to return home, his habit of reading a certain 
small book by a window, his manner of wiping his brow, just 
how he handled his kerchief, etc. 

Even his “brown” shoes were described. 

A spirit came in holding a plate on which was a piece of 
raspberry pie, having a fork on the top of it. He said, “I was 
so fond of raspberry pie.” “Agusta”. When I had finished, 
Mrs. Ailing said, “I was just reading the will of that spirit 
who liked raspberry pie, when you came in: he has only been 
dead three weeks: and “Agusta” is the name of his daughter 



224 


MY Proof of Immortality 

to whom he left all his property.” “He probably would like to 
speak to Agusta,” said Mrs. Ailing. 

A spirit called her name “Josie”, “Jo” you always called 
me—her clothes were described, her candy making, her person 
described, her religion, trinkets, those which Mrs. Ailing has in 
her possession, all told, and then those things nearest the heart 
of her friend were gone into, which were all understood, though 
in symbol, and as fast as I could speak. 


Evidential Proof : Feb. 3rd, 1923. New York City. 

Louise Astorita (Fruit & Produce Market, 889 Morris Ave. 
Near 161st. St.) 

This widow had assisted at my plea for the Cobbler’s 
wife, when she was about to become a Mother a second time, 
having a nine months old child at her knee, and for whom 
I pled, as they were suffering for food, and warm clothing. 
I had promised her in return “to do something for her 
money could not buy.” Pressed to tell what this could be, 
I said: “When I go out of this place a spirit speaks to me, 
asks to speak to you. They speak to me just like I am 
speaking to you now.” 

“Louise” as she is called by all, came at 6:30 P.M. 

The first spirit who described himself was an old man, 
tall, with a gray moustache, a cap with a long back which 
he said he brought from Italy and kept for driving the 
wagon, as “it was long in the back.” He said, “I always tied 
a handkerchief around my neck. I called her “sweetheart.” 
He showed me the bed on which he died, its patched quilt, 
its stuffed feather pillows, saying, “I brought them (the 
feathers) from the old country on my shoulder when I 
came over.” 

This spirit then explained how he had injured his right 
foot on a ladder when it broke while he was painting a roof. 
All of which this girl acknowledged true, as the spirit said, 
“this is Papa.” 

The next spirit was a woman who lifted her skirts and 
pinned them back of her, while she stirred a wash-kettle 
in a yard, boiling the wash, and gave a description of her 
person, then told how she refused to marry two connected 
with a royal service to marry the father of this Girl, same 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


225 


being at that time a Gardener. She explained her last illness. 
She said, “Mother is here.” Described this Girl in her school 
clothes while about 15 years old. Spoke of her children, 
told how many were in spirit with her, a number, and told 
of the quiet and peaceful home theirs while she was in 
body. She described the altar in her bedroom, its Saint 
Joseph, small light everburning there, etc. 

Then the spirit of a young man was described, and 
shown to me in picture, on my brain; this man tall, dark, 
long wavy hair, broad forehead, sunken cheeks, pale face,— 
and he sat bent over holding his head in his hand while his 
elbow rested on his knee, saying how he suffered with his 
head, and how he used to say “Why do I have to die: I love 
my children, my home, and all life, why must I die.” He 
gave his name, spoke of his children, described the wedding 
picture of this wife and himself taken on their wedding 
day which she now keeps on her dresser in her bedroom, 
where he is often, and sees it ,— 

Then, this husband in spirit, gave the most intimate 
advice and proof to this wife in body. 

Then he brought his sister in spirit, a girl with auburn 
hair, and a sweet face, young, about 17 years, in white, 
saying he had always hoped his daughter would be like this 
sister, and that she was with him in spirit, and here tonight. 

All this, and more, was acknowledged true, and recog¬ 
nized at once. Comforted by this, this woman sat weeping, 
laughing at times as the so-called dead referred to some 
fun, or glimpse of their past together. 

I gave until 10:30, but this is all I need to write; she 
said she felt like she had visited them all. 


Eddison, Mrs. H. Widow: Sent by Mrs. Zollner. Oct. 2nd. T9. 
Requested by phone to see the friend who was in great dis¬ 
tress. A woman of 35? or so. 

The first spirit to describe herself and her home, as well 
as the foibles of the sitter, was her Mother. Location of 
home, plan of same, means, travels across many times, all 
told by this Mother, as well as advice re-health, where 
ailing, etc. Her last born she was called. All acknowledged 
as true and understood. 



226 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Next, A soldier described, his rank, his sailing with 
his brother, who was also described (one clean shaven one 
with a black moustache) he took his own life. (True.) He 
had helped her she had helped him by coming here he said: 
he had been trying to manifest. (True.) This soldier de¬ 
scribed all their private affairs: his gifts of a string of 
pearls and diamonds, where she kept these. He said he 
thought he could die. He gave her many symbolic messages 
which she understood. Described the conditions where she 
was now living. (All correct.) He then told of their daughter 
at school and described her instincts and the cold atmos¬ 
phere where she was quartered. Advice against musical 
education and for composition understood. When pressed 
for his name he said Harter (correct) Neeland, Lonnie, 
both called and understood. He then described to me that 
this one was a dancer, Artiste, and her act forthcoming, 
advised to take the two and fill in later, directed her curtain 
and the rose-leaves which she was to carry on her person 
“a separate lining in the sleeves and bodice” from which 
she was to throw the petals, understood also. A curtain 
of flowers and Irish Moss, said the spirit, wonderful said 
the sitter, go on,—a lute, and a song to be added to the 
act (She plays a flute herself in this act she told me) Well, 
I cannot remember all, but this was kept up for two hours 
and a half: she came at Ten and left at Twelve-thirty. 
Another spirit came in kilts and spoke of Highland, heather, 
moat, etc. He was also acknowledged, skeeing he said: 
that was my favorite country (true) etc., etc. 

There was an Oriental spirit following this one garbed 
in yellow: she knew this one and has received messages 
from him. This was as complete a sitting as I have ever 
given: not anything but evidential matter coming through. 
This woman is a stranger and all are strangers connected 
with her: all I knew was that she was in distress. He told 
her how to borrow money and on what, she understood. He 
-sent her to the Twelfth floor of an office bldg. She knew 
where it was. Then, she requested his last name, only this 
and I will be so happy. She DID NOT GET IT: AND 
THE SPIRIT DID NOT TRY TO GIVE IT. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


227 


She told me it was Tony: their pet name, that is. But 
he called his first name Harter. 

This is true of all sitters: they want more than they 
ever get, and no matter how wonderful the evidence given 
it is short. Two days after the above sitting this woman 
rings me to say that all advice given her re-her stage act 
had been followed, and the most remarkable advancement 
achieved therefrom: asked for an early sitting: said she had 
been transformed into a happy woman by the news and 
comfort obtained from this interview with her soldier hus¬ 
band. This one passed the news on through her friends, 
and I have been spoken to several times re- the remarkable 
evidence she received. 


This is a letter, and part of the second sitting of a Mrs. 
Addison, who was being molested by a spirit, lied to, and kept 
awake. 

The spirit W. S. sent her to a priest, told her why she must 
go. She took the spirit’s advice, and this letter is acknowledging 
her gratitude to the spirit,— 

This woman is the fifth Catholic to be returned to the fold 
by this spirit W. S. Two in New Orleans, and three in New 
York, either from reading W. S.’s advice or through advice from 
the spirit side through my hearing. 

ADDISON: Mrs. (Catholic) Oct. 25th, 1919. 

(Written for Mrs. Addison: dictated Direct spirit voice to 
Sarah Shatford) 

“This is a medium. You cannot go on, however, we will 
give her help. 

When this spirit evades your queries, why do you not drive 
him out forcibly? He can be driven back where he came from. 
Your course is as follows: GO TO YOUR FATHER CON¬ 
FESSOR. TELL HIM ALL. NOW DO NOT PUT IT 
OFF. YOU CANNOT CONSORT WITH EVIL AND BE 
GOOD LONG. They leer here as I write my lines through 
Her, and give me the usual plaintive plea for unusual ability. 
Her heart is weak. Take up a forceful life—go out, live, enjoy 
your senses normally, and do not give all, for one who knows 
you still makes light of the relation to others. THERE IS 




228 


MY Proof of Immortality 


ONE YOU HAVE HARBOURED AND CANNOT GET 
RID OF WITHOUT A PRIEST. A CATHOLIC CAN DO 
THE WORK. COMMAND. Your own spirits you brought 
with you were the ones to give your messages. They deceived 
us as well as you. Every soul has their own band of spirits. 
Usually they are fine, not in this case. Now, let us shut the 
door. He cares indifferently, not when an ocean rolls between. 
Not answered today. Not on the sea. (Said to me: Give a good 
measure) (Continued) (Dictated) O how I wish I could live 
my life again and go out to heaven a PURE SOUL. You 
can go out from this house a CLEAN high soul of enormous 
elevation. Go, then. And walk divinely upright. Make a con¬ 
fession. Withhold not anything, but kneel and give forth every 
secret. Have we made progress and yet withhold from God 
HIS due? Pay, or pay the penalty. We love her, hate, sing, 
jump, reel, and curse if that were our habit in the body. You 
can bring your spirit forth to your Maker as you would wish 
or not, it rests alone with thee. When you go forth to God 
remember this I tell you here, and see if we speak truly. OURS 
was a soul immaculate once. Now we serve to restore ours. 
You will be permitted the same course—when you find but that 
you brought along. 

To make confession is to rid your spirit of obsessing entities 
here. They cannot queer you, then. (The woman’s life was 
then described to her: all being admitted as true) Her husband 
has an errand abroad. His life is NOT out.” 

(Copy of letter from Mrs. Addison) 54 East 59th st. Oct. 
25th, 1919. 

My dear Mrs. Shatford: 

Just a line to tell you I have found peace and happiness 
in my faith with God, and my husband is due to arrive here 
from Italy some time this week. I received a cable today 
saying he left Oct. 15th so am awaiting his steamer. 

Some day soon I hope to see you and to have a little 
chat to tell you what prayer has done for me. 

Yours very truly, 

-Addison 

(Mrs. Addison brought a large bouquet of chrysanthemums, 
violet colored,—which I requested her to carry to the Virgin’s 
Altar, as she went to see the Priest.) S. T. S. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

ALL SAINTS DAY—1919. 


229 


Amelia Bingham 

Mrs. Bingham came at Two: spoke to her own in spirit 
until 5 :30 without surcease. Lloyd, Father, Mother, Ellen: The 
latter was a sister who described herself, her marriage, her work, 
hers and Amelia’s home, all the different tests being remarkable. 

Told how they used to make maple sugar: boil it, and put 
it in bread pans to set: told of her pride in her chickens: her 
children, and others not hers, that she had married a widower. 
Recalled “Jimmey” on the front porch, how father had stamped 
on the floor and told Amelia to come to bed it was time to 
close up the house: told how her father said he had to keep a 
shot gun to keep the boys away from his girls: told of the 
novels and detective papers they used to hide under the mat¬ 
tresses, and read on the sly: told of the small town where they 
lived being in a chain of three others and theirs was in the centre. 
The father and mother proved they were there in the same 
manner: recalling the mortgaged farm, should have been carried 
to the Supreme Court, said the father, it was too bad to see all 
the farm implements go with the land, and at such a price, etc. 
Told how he and their Mother were lovers, and were still. Told 
of his opposition when she sought a professional career. And 
why. (They had described themselves before, perfectly.) 

Lloyd, her husband, not Only told of her contracts, but 
planned her gowns to be worn in her plays. (This he always 
did in life, Mrs. Bingham says.) When he got so far as the 
boudoir scene, in which he desired her to wear pale blue velvet 
robe, she wanted information: she had understood all the others. 
The scene where you lay your head on your arm on the table, 
(showing me the attitude). Oh, yes, said Mrs. Bingham. It 
was made plain to her. 

This husband in spirit gave much that I cannot here note', 
as it is of a personal intimate nature, all true and acknowledged 
as true by his wife, Mrs. Bingham. Then, he said “Well, you 
haven’t got what you came for yet, have you.” “No,” said Mrs. 
B—. This was then given. 

The first sitting for Mrs. B. was at an evening gathering at 
# 40 West 83rd. St. of four. A spirit reached out to her left hand 
took the marriage-ring finger, said “You have not the ring on: I 



230 


MY Proof of Immortality 


know.” She had left it the day before to have a stone reset: 
this was the ring of her husband, he wore it when he passed 
out. He described the house in which she lived. The winding 
stairs: the umbrella stand: the iron gate: told her.he was always 
there: knew that his shaving-mug and brush, his slippers and 
dressing-gown were in the accustomed place and had not been 
removed. Asked to have a few words in private to give advice 
about a private matter, whispered in her ear what this matter 
was, which she understood. He described himself. His sweater 
with a roll collar and stripes on the cuffs: his long pipe: ink¬ 
wells of bronze, the library, the box where he kept his private 
papers, the papers therein, the ones which had begun to pay, etc. 

Her two pending contracts were described and discussed. 
Her Managers too. He showed me a Queen’s red-velvet robe, 
a sceptre and crown, the train ermine edged (this was her 
Josephine robe, the last part he played with her was Napoleon). 
She wore this robe, etc. 

He told of his plans for her: told of his same personality, 
existing love, jealousy, impetuosity, etc. All of which he made 
her feel by his words. Advice and description of financial prob¬ 
lems, property etc. Pictures and Parts. 

Small and Large Contracts: Managers described, their 
offices, their appearances, their hands. Once he said, “No the 
one where you must step over lumber piles where they are 
building an addition.” This settled that, she understood. Sam 
Shubert came with Mr. Bingham, described himself, his golf 
sticks, etc.; asked to speak to his brother: advised her re. working 
conditions, etc. Mrs. Bingham had just come from the Shubert 
offices, where she had spoken to this very brother (Which I 
did not know, or knew nothing of her residence, its situation, etc). 

Mrs. Bingham’s Mother came, described their family home, 
the scenery there, the rose-bushes by the side of the house, one 
of which climbed to the second story, this bed of flowers was 
encircled by white stones. (True.) She described her sunbonnet 
which she wore while in this garden: the apple-dumplings 
“steamed” which Mrs. Bingham was fond of, the dining room 
was described as was this Mother’s personal appearance: Many 
personal messages given. Then her Father described himself. 
His span of bays, his corn-field, his pride, her singing voice, etc. 


By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 231 

The Avenue of trees leading out of their home, same meeting 
overhead, was shown. 

Her husband described his passing out: European conditions 
at the time; said he took the ship for Europe when she was 
in the mountains, which was true. Mrs. Bingham says she was 
playing in Oklahoma at the time. There is a great deal more 
which is private but of great import as to evidential proof, 
all of which Mrs. Bingham acknowledged to me from first to 
last. The spirit comes in (Mr. Bingham) and asks me to go 
and console her “it is just around the corner,” he says. A 
friend phoned her and she came over: it was the day she 
was to sign a contract which her husband advised she should 
delay the signature of as long as possible. The part did not suit 
her. Which she acknowledged was true in fact. 


Evidential Proof: Sunday Afternoon, and evening, July 21st, 

N. Y. C. 1923. BINGHAM, Mrs. Amelia: 

Mrs. Bingham’s Mother said from spirit, today: “I STILL 
RECALL MY ALLIGATOR BAG, you know why, I prized 
it so.” (This was understood by Mrs. Bingham.) It is as nat¬ 
ural for Mrs. Bingham to speak to hers in spirit, while here, as 
though she were speaking to them in the body. They call her by 
their pet names for her, go into all her affairs of a private nature, 
prove that they have been travelling along with her all winter, 
know the clauses of her contracts, even; all of which is discussed 
AFTER THEY MUST PROVE THEY ARE THEM¬ 
SELVES, only. Over and over, the past is described, situations, 
jokes, homes, clothes, descriptions as well, given, before I am 
allowed to start on the visit of the day. This is true of everyone, 
no matter who comes, it is a rule, so the one who is in the body 
is certain it is only the one out of the body who could refer to 
these things brought in as true evidence the spirits, the so-called 
“dead”, are here present. 

Her father told how proud he was of his first piano-box 
buggy for his span of fine horses. This father then said, “THE 
BARN I KEPT THESE IN WAS ON THE RIGHT SIDE 
OF THE HOUSE. I COULD NOT TOUCH THE WHIP 
TO THESE HORSES. I WAS PROUD OF MY FINE 
STOCK.” Then he proved that he, and Mrs. Bingham’s Mother, 



232 


MY Proof of Immortality 

had travelled with her this past winter, by reference to her terri¬ 
ble attack of cold caught back of the scenes, when she was 
threatened with pneumonia. He cautioned against “going on” 
when she was in this condition, hereafter. All is of too private 
a nature to note hereon, except some trifling proofs, only spirits 
could give. 

Mrs. Bingham’s Mother, who has often proved herself alive 
through my hearing, was today able to furnish new proof, as was 
her sister in spirit. Described her first eye-glasses with their 
rubber-frames,—told how Mrs. Bingham was brought back twice 
after she started to leave them, to “kiss them good-by” once more. 
Her sister said, “You know there was space between MY TWO 
FRONT TEETH, SO YOU COULD PLACE A DIME BE¬ 
TWEEN?” (Acknowledged, all the above, as true.) 

Mr. Lloyd Bingham proves always, over and over, in dis¬ 
position, descriptions, personalities, that he is certainly here in 
person. Once he said: “Recall how you were practicing your 
part on the stairs one night, and you stumbled down ? And how 
we laughed?” (How she laughed now, too, as she said, “Yes, 
indeed, I remember.”) All said by this ever-devoted man who is 
today alive as ever he was, is too sacred to print. But using his 
own terms of endearment, expressions, even, Mrs. Bingham says, 
as he tells of her various business offers, plans, payments, man¬ 
agements, etc. Proves that he knows all, all that is, and has 
transpired, since his passing out. He told her today, “I CAME 
TO YOUR BEDSIDE TWICE, AND YOU SAW ME, BE¬ 
CAUSE YOU PRAYED THAT I MIGHT DO SO.” “IT IS 
TRUE,” said Mrs. Bingham, whose lovely soul I know. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: Sunday evening, July 21st, 1923. 

FRIEND OF MRS. AMELIA BINGHAM: Proof given 
in Mrs. Bingham’s presence. 

(I requested that she did not give her name.) A tall, young 
woman of 22 years or so, brown eyes, dark hair, and a lovely 
smile, and personality. S. T. S.) 

The spirit of a woman in a gray lawn dress, wearing a small 
black straw hat, having a black ribbon on it, stood by this girl’s 
side, as she (the spirit) was placing a hat pin in the same hole 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


233 


in the hat, a thing she always did. She showed me her foot, that 
I might describe a square toed shoe. She was small in stature. 
The first thing she said was: “DO YOU REMEMBER THE 
RED CLIMBING ROSE ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE 
ON ITS TRELLIS, ON THE GREEN CLAPBOARDS OF 
THE HOUSE?” “I DO,” said this young woman. “YOUR 
GRANDFATHER, WHERE YOU SPENT THE SUMMERS, 
IS HERE WITH ME TONIGHT. AND MY BROTHER, 
THE ONE WHO WAS MY FAVORITE, HE IS HERE, 
AND HE WAS THE FIRST SPIRIT I SAW AS I CAME 
OVER HERE,” said this spirit. (Recognized, all of it, by the 
girl.) “THIS IS MOTHER,” said the Girl. “I do not know,” 
said I, “for the spirit has not told me she is your mother.” At 
once this spirit said “JO.” “That was her name,” said the Girl. 
“Josephine, but we called her JO at home.” 

All of this Mother’s advice, and words to this daughter are 
too sacred toi print. They are private, and of import, and ac¬ 
knowledged as they were, and understood by both Mrs. Bingham 
and the young woman. I cannot put them down here for other 
eyes, but, being all understood by both, I can say here that they 
were sacred things discussed by Mothers: who discussed the life, 
prospects, pledges, options, of this daughter, the girl was startled 
with the truth that her Mother was not, and had not been “dead”, 
ever since she died. When this spirit had finished, she said: 
“Julia has the right idea about that!” “Julia is my girl chum,” 
said the Girl, “and I know what Mother means.” 

“Now Grandpa wants to tell you how happy he is to speak 
to you and tell you that he had not forgotten how he used to 
permit you to harness him up for a horse and play horse with 
you!” (Recognized.) “That is Grandpa,” she said. Continuing, 
this same spirit said: “And the swing, I made for you OUT OF 
CHAIN, UNDER THE APPLE TREE, and THE OLD YEL¬ 
LOW PURSE I CARRIED, AND USED TO OPEN AND 
MAKE YOU A PRESENT ?” All acknowledged as hers, and 
true. This spirit then presented himself without a hat, and gave 
a full description of himself, how he had looked forward to her 
coming every summer,—how she pled to ride his horses,—and he 
used to seat her on the back of one of them. (All acknowledged.) 
He said, I am Mother’s Father. He retold, in his own way, what 
would happen if she did not reconsider her position,—that he 


234 


MY Proof of Immortality 


would always be near and trying to help her,—no matter what 
came, that they would keep by her side,—and aid her in her 
attempts. 

Here, the Mother came back with pansies in her hand. Said, 
“You remember MY PANSY BED (she did). Well, ,, she said, 
“I WOULD RATHER HAVE A FRESH PANSY THAN 
THE ONE YOU HAVE MADE UP YOUR MIND TO 
TAKE: FOR THAT IS ONE PRESSED, AS THOUGH IT 
HAD BEEN BETWEEN THE LEAVES OF A BOOK: NOT 
A FRESH FLO WERT (Understood by the Girl.) 

All these spirits asked that she return and give them one 
more chance to go back into the past, and aid her. 

They offered to tell me of the remarkable proof and advice, 
after I had finished, but I refused to hear, requesting the Girl 
to return, when I should know no more then than I do now: no 
more than You who read this. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: Miss Brackley & Sister, Morris Avenue Pub¬ 
lic Library, Melrose Branch. 

Miss Brackley spoke of the power of right thinking, one cold 
day, and I told her I thought she must be a Christian Scientist 
by her words. She laughed and said, No, she was more a New 
Thought follower, she attended Miss Mary Chapin Gore’s lec¬ 
tures, and heard Dr. Fosdick on Sunday. We thus came to speak 
on religion. When I told her the dead, so called, spoke to me, 
that I proved there were no dead, and the number of years this 
work had all been given to the unseen. Dubious, skeptical, she 
laughed in my face outright. Smiling, I said, “Come and see.” 
I told her of “Louise” the Italian Fruit Dealer, where I bought 
my vegetables, and how her father in spirit, and her husband, 
constantly followed me from her shop, begging me to speak to 
her for them as she was in trouble at the time. I spoke of these 
because she could ask Louise if it were true. Then I spoke of 
the Dymicks, also in this neighborhood, and Mrs. Hayes. 

So one morning Miss Brackley came asking if they might 
come that night, and if she might bring her sister along. They 
came very early in the evening, and left at Eleven, on a Saturday 
night, all this time being given to speaking with and for the dead, 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


235 


theirs, in spirit, who had “died”. A Father, Mother, and the 
sister’s husband lately deceased. All their home life, peculiari¬ 
ties, mode of dressing, home interior and furniture described, 
themselves described, and, all that went to make life for them in 
their bodies. Their ambitions, property problems, working situa¬ 
tions, etc., all gone into by the spirits, of their own “dead” but 
there, and proved they had never died. 

Again Miss Brackley came, to be given more. And I spoke 
one day for this father in spirit as I was in the Library and he 
came asking that I tell her something about the house in the 
country they were trying to sell. This was understood, all was 
acknowledged by both sisters, everything so pleasing from their 
very own delighting them, who had only laughed at the claim 
that anyone could speak to the dead. It is of no use to go into 
the family affairs to publish these further proofs, as all are very 
much alike, some outstanding vital proof, being all that is neces¬ 
sary to record. The sister’s husband said, “They said I resem¬ 
bled Poe. (And he did)—He recalled their conversations to¬ 
gether as he knew he was to die. (Recognized.) 

Much more that will have to be unrecorded, for lack of time. 


Saleswoman, in Sax, Department Store, Hungarian: Skirt 
Dept. June 1923. 

Buying a skirt in Sax Dept. Store, the woman took great 
trouble to find what I could afford. We spoke of language, 
war, money, and people. As she turned to get my package, the 
spirit said, “This one is a widow, has a son, husband here, would 
like to speak.” “Arrange, and I will pass along the message,” I 
said. When she returned I told her I heard the dead, and that 
hers in spirit wished to give her a message that he had never died. 
She looked incredulous, and I asked if it would worry her to 
hear from the dead. She said, Not if it is not bad news. I 
replied I could not say, yet, what the spirit of her husband wished 
to tell her. So she said she was glad. And the spirit began by 
describing the son, he wished to take exercise, how she would 
inherit money from the old country and to leave it there, and that 
he would like to save her from accepting that offer, and tell her 
it would be better to wait for one from her own kind. (Under- 



236 


MY Proof of Immortality 


stood.) He told of his degree, the letters after his name, and his 
son’s ambition. He asked her pardon for his treatment of her 
while living: and said he tried to drive her as with a strap, now 
he understood: (she also understood this). And he said, “The 
one who played solitaire is here too with me.” “That is his 
Mother,” said this woman. There was much more, all acknowl¬ 
edged, which I do not care to write. 

In CHILD’S, just after this, same day: 

A woman with a Boy of Nine years sat at my table. We 
spoke. The lad was unruly, somewhat. She apologized for him, 
saying he was a good boy, but he had a bad disposition,—when 
the spirit spoke, saying? “This Boy is a genius: will be an in¬ 
ventor : look at his fingers.” I told her, and she said, “Why, his 
father says that. He is a machinist, his father is.” Then, the 
spirit voice gave a most beautiful lesson to this fine Boy, who 
had short, fine, small fingers, on a broad hand. It said, “you know 
a boat has barnacles, don’t you? Well, they must come off, 
before the boat can sail out of the harbor. They must come off, 
those barnacles.” Asking his Mother what barnacles were, she 
said: “You must ask your father.” I tried to tell him, and he said 
to me: “I just can’t help having a bad disposition. But I love 
my Mother.” When, his Mother told me, he was Nine and had 
finished the Eleven years classes at School, and the teachers 
had told them that in two years more he would graduate.” I told 
this fine woman where my knowledge came from, and she was 
understanding, and followed me out, and walked with me,—as 
we spoke of the dead, the spirits, living, with us.” S. T. S. 


Evidential Proof: July 23rd, evening: 1923. 

Mrs. O. H. E. Bemdt: My next-door neighbor. 

This good neighbor had done me several kindnesses during 
my year’s occupancy of this Apartment. She is a Trained Nurse. 
A fine, matronly, young woman, with auburn hair, and a smile so 
sweet it is a joy to meet her, or speak with her. It is now a 
year since I rented here, and she had not been inside my door, 
nor I hers. This is to be a neighbor in New York City. But 
we had passed favors along, and always spoken when we met. I 
had spoken with her and her husband in the hall this evening, and 
soon after the wife came in while the husband was over to the 
Stadium in the Bronx. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


237 


I had told her the dead spoke to me and I could give her 
messages from hers who had passed out. She asked me if I 
truly could. Certainly, I said, it is only necessary to give them 
a chance and you will see. 

“There is a Mother here/’ a spirit voice said. “She dressed 
in black, owing to her broad hips, read in three books co-relative 
passages (Christian Science) used to explain by opening the book 
and placing her finger on a sentence and running her finger along 
a line, so—(and she showed me). This spirit Mother said, “I 
will mention an heirloom, because of the fun they always made 
of it, the breast-pin made of human hair.” “I was so alarmed 
when this one made her decision regarding her profession: I 
worried over her more than anything else in my life. And while 
I was trying to solve her problem it solved itself.” (All the above 
recognized as true by Mrs. Berndt.) 

This spirit then said: “I will take you where I made TWO 
LAYER CAKES IN SQUARE TINS, CHOCOLATE LAY¬ 
ERS AND FILLING, which was this girl’s favorite cake: while 
she made the ice-creams: do you recall the ORANGE ICES?” 
(All acknowledged as fast as I could speak.) And the spirit of 
this young woman’s Mother took me to their home, described 
it, and its kitchen, the entrances, doors, where leading, the posi¬ 
tion of sink, window, stove, pantry, color of floor slate color, 
stove burned wood, square of oil cloth underneath the stove, “and 
the woodshed door was at the end of the sink.” (All true as 
stated, said Mrs. Berndt.) Much of a private nature, all ac¬ 
knowledged, understood, followed. The spirit told of the several 
girls and herself working in the sitting room of this home, where 
this one listening was so clever with her needle, how she used to 
make them laugh when she trimmed a hat, placing it on her 
knee, so,—(and she imitated the way it had been done during her 
lifetime by this daughter.) “I will mention another heirloom of 
the family, and then Father is here and wants to prove to you 
that he has not forgotten anything of the old days. I refer to 
THE POINT LACE COLLAR WHICH WE KEPT IN THE 
SMALL SQUARE HANDKERCHIEF BOX: (Acknowledged 
by this spirit’s daughter as true) Much of a private nature, 
both regarding old days, and plans in business, profession, was 
gone into by this spirit Mother. 

“This is Papa,” said a spirit. “I TOOK YOUR HAND, 


238 


MY Proof of Immortality 

SO, AND LAYING MY OTHER HAND UPON YOURS I 
SAID TO YOU: YOU HAVE BEEN TRUE-BLUE, AND I 
AM GOING TO TRUST YOU.” “That is exactly what he did, 
and what he said,” said Mrs. Berndt. The spirit father then 
continued: describing himself perfectly in person, manner, 
speech: he said, “I always had to carry my cane, no matter 
whether I was dressed up or not, if I had my stick I was con¬ 
tent.” “That is wonderful,” said this woman; “for it is absolutely 
true.” The spirit continued: “You know I used to say Put up 
those books and go to bed! Those religious books? You used 
to say I wasn’t religious, but I always said I prayed, and that was 
all that was necessary.” “That is true,” said she. “We want to 
talk to you about that Sanatorium they want you to take charge 
of, the next time we speak together, my child,” said this spirit 
Father. Understood by this Nurse before me. Much else was 
given: I only record those things necessary to prove the dead 
themselves were here speaking to their child. 

“How wonderful!” she said, as she left for home, next door. 
“How wonderful!” 

Add to the above sitting for Mrs. Berndt the following: Her 
mother said from spirit: “Do you remember when I had to say: 
‘Am I going to have ANOTHER red-headed baby?” (Yes, 
indeed, said Mrs. Berndt, I do.” This spirit Mother then con¬ 
tinued: “I used to put the baby-clothes away when the girls 
came home, for I was ashamed to have them see me making baby 
clothes again.” (That is true,” said her daughter.” The spirit 
continuing, said: “But this Girl was so sweet after it came, I 
loved her for it. She inherits her hair from her father.”—(True, 
said the daughter.) 

This is very fine proof for the spirit who gave it, and for 
all mortals who read this. As I overlooked it yesterday, the 
spirit herself came in last night to tell me, “You forgot about the 
red headed baby!” I did so, I said to her, and I am very much 
obliged to you for reminding me of that.” This is to show that 
this spirit, whose daughter lives next door, was in my house, 
knew' what I marked down for her and hers, and knew that I 
had not marked down this, as told above. Spirits are themselves ? 
I guess they are, just that, and as human as you, or I, still having 
bodies of flesh. 

July 24th, 1923. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


239 


Evidential Proof : Sat. evening, Nov. 10th, 1923. 

At the Apartment of Mr. and Mrs. Berndt, next door: New 
York City: 

I promised to go in and give Mr. Berndt’s Mother a message 
at this dinner gathering of the family. As I sat in my side of 
the house, a spirit said: “West Virginia.” “I will speak to mine 
next door soon,” said this spirit. Looking at my time I saw it 
was exactly the hour I had promised to go. 

The first spirit to present theirself for Mrs. Berndt, Sr., 
was an old gentleman who described himself, and said he was 
an orator. He was recognized. Her father’s people. Her Mother 
in spirit then described herself, the room in which she used to 
sew, the window, its position, the bird cage over her head there, 
the knitting, and her sewing basket, her side combs, her gray 
print dress, black slippers and white stockings, their family affairs, 
her way of soothing this child in her sorrow, as she took her hand 
and smoothed it, so (showing me), and how she said, “Let us be 
thankful it is no worse than it is,” when so doing,—. Then this 
Mother in spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, “my daughter here 
has my spool-case, which I see her unroll, which ties up with a 
ribbon after rolled up. She had my picture enlarged, and is not 
satisfied with it, and I see her stand by it, place a sprig over its 
frame, and hear her say it is not a good likeness of Mother at 
all. I am there when she does this, and I am here now.” This 
was all recognized at once by Mrs. Berndt, and other proof I 
have not recalled here. After acknowledgment of this being 
her Mother, this same spirit told her daughter about the trip to 
Virginia she was about to take, and described the reasons for 
going, and gave other proof that she was in the family still 
although called “dead.” Mrs. Berndt said, “I am going to Vir¬ 
ginia Monday, and I certainly understand all that she has said.” 
“You can never lose a Mother,” said this spirit to her. “Father 
is with me, and he too wilLprove that he is here.” The spirit 
of Mrs. Berndt’s father then described himself to her, and his 
father too was present. First he said, “You know how I turned 
my pockets inside out to your Mother, and always said, You 
do whatever you like, and whatever you do will suit me.” “The 
one who played a violin is here with us tonight, too. The one, 
a woman, who walked with a crutch and had her hand in a 
bandage, her right hand, she is here too. And your own two chil- 


240 


MY Proof of Immortality 


dren are here with us too, Mamma,” said this spirit of her hus¬ 
band. I used to call my boy “Lad,” when I spoke to him. He 
remembers that. Who used to like to have him skate, and see 
him with his skates over his shoulders? You, Mamma, have my 
old pocket book. And I see you keep the old papers in it, and 
stood by the other day and heard YOU SAY IF YOU HAD 
ALL THE MONEY THAT HAD HELD WHAT YOU 
WOULD DO. I always liked a polka dot necktie, said this same 
spirit. (All of this was admitted true as fast as I could speak it.) 

Just here a servant entered to put away the china. She 
stood with her back to all of us and was busily engaged, when 
a spirit voice said, “There is a Congregationalist here, a man. 
A man who in his body always attended Church of this order, 
and was always late owing to reading the Sunday papers before 
he started. He used to pass the collection plate in the Church.” 
The Berndts did not recognize this spirit. But this spirit kept 
on proving his identity, over and over verifying himself. At last 
the spirit said, “For the one with the gingham dress, putting away 
the dishes.” 

This spirit, a man, described HIS TOMBSTONE WITH 
A WREATH ON IT. A SLAB, said he, and “I HEAR YOU 
WORRYING OVER THE LOT, don’t, for I don’t care.” 
Recognized at once. 

The others stopped for this spirit to give his message. Over 
again the spirit began and went over the same things again. 
Until Mr. Berndt went into the kitchen and returned saying, 
“THAT SPIRIT IS RECOGNIZED BY THE WOMAN IN 
THE KITCHEN BUT SHE DOES NOT CARE TO COME 
IN SHE WOULD FEEL pUT OF PLACE SHE SAYS.” 
Bring her in here, said I: I will sit with my arm around her here 
and she will lose all that feeling. She refused to come in. So 
this spirit, of her husband, told, in front of all the Berndts, that 
he was there, and to tell her this: “I KNOW SHE HAS 
REFUSED THAT OFFER OF MARRIAGE, AND I WANT 
HER TO ACCEPT OF IT AND HAVE HELP IN RAISING 
THE TWO CHILDREN. THAT MAN IS BETTER THAN 
SHE THINKS HE IS, BUT SHE WILL NOT MARRY A 
MAN SHE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT. HE SPEAKS AN¬ 
OTHER LANGUAGE. SHE IS CATHOLIC AND THEY 
FORBID THE DEAD TO SPEAK TO THEIRS THAT IS 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


241 


WHY SHE DOES NOT COME IN NOW.” All of which 
was admitted true, and by the woman herself to my neighbors, 
the Oscar Berndts. 

The son-in-law, father of a fine Boy of about 14, who was 
present with his father and Mother was the next to receive from 
his father in spirit a description of himself, with proof that he 
had never died, knew all about—his business, home, etc. This 
father described himself fully, his head, habits, business, advice 
to this boy before he left, all of which was recognized by the man 
himself and his wife in body present, and all the Berndts also 
present. This spirit of this father then said to me, “I want to tell 
him that as sure as he used to help me MEND MY HARNESS, 
I AM HERE.” “Yes, indeed, I did help him mend the harness,” 
said this man in a body, who recognized his own father there able 
to speak to me, and prove himself living. The rest of this spirit’s 
message to his son was all private, every single thing gone into 
regarding his business, his deafness, and not one refusal to 
recognize readily everything brought by the dead for the living 
this evening to people I do not know, never saw before, could 
know nothing about, except they were in the home of my next 
door neighbors the Oscar Berndts. 

I wish to say that I gave all the above in noisy, bustling, 
conditions. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: Friday, March 17th, 1922. Evening: 

New York City. 

Miss Alta Baumgardner, and Friend “Dorothy,” of Toledo. 
(Third communion this winter.) (350 West End Ave.) or 2141 
Robin wood, Toledo, Ohio. 

The Grandmother of Miss Baumgardner described her home, 
and the turkey stuffed zmth chestnuts for which she was famous. 
(Recognized.) Her mince pies, WITH BRANDY IN THEM, 
made five at a time ,—where the family of this young woman 
gathered for holiday dinners, WHEN SHE CARVED ,—the bird 
herself,—etc. Until the young lady said: “Why, that’s my grand¬ 
mother as plain as can be.” 

This Grandmother then went into the intimate affairs of the 
home from which this woman came, her own daughters, ap- 



242 


MY Proof of Immortality 


proaching operation, the outcome of it, and told of her presence 
there, described THE CEMETERY LOT ON WHICH SHE 
WAS BURIED, and the number of graves there before hers, 
(two) and the monument,—all matters being of too sacred a 
nature and intimate to- record here, but all recognized, with Miss 
Dorothy’s recognition as well, as they both reside in Toledo,— 

An Uncle, “Mother’s brother, who was fond of you,” then 
told of his characteristics, those things which held him still, how 
he never visited but two houses, disliked visiting, but always 
came to her father’s house, where the door was open for him 
always,—how this father had helped him in life and now he 
wished to return it by sending something to him, and giving this 
girl which money could not buy. He told how he saved up gold 
pieces, as soon as he had enough green money to change it for 
gold he did so, and how he loved to see this, and roll it out of 
that small leather purse worth only half a dollar (all true, and 
admitted true)—how her father always bought all his cigars, and 
sent him a fresh box before the last was empty, and where he 
kept these, on th£ shelf of the clothes closet,—(all admitted true 

by Miss B-). While we stopped to speak of these things, the 

young ladies overcome by the memory and personality of the so- 
called “dead” Uncle, Mother’s brother,—the woman related to 
this spirit said: “That is the only thing Father ever bought for 
Uncle was his cigars wholesale). Mr. Baumgardner, the Father 
in Toledo, is a wholesale Dry-Goods Merchant. When I started 
again on the wire for this spirit, he said first, “I wish to correct 
you, that is NOT the only thing your Father bought for me, he 
bought my woolen underwear. “True: said Miss Baumgardner: 
that is so.” 

This relative then began, referred to her father’s new invest¬ 
ments, etc., his health, showed me this father in the body sitting 
in his office, and I described him to these girls, dressed in a 
gray suit, the desk he sat at, where it was placed, faced, the bell 
on this desk which he rang for the correspondence clerk, etc., 
told him “he bounded up two steps at a time, this father, (which 
is a habit of his) told of the business in the making, how two 
brothers had begun and built up the great merchandise business, 
—then this spirit spoke of intimate things concerning the family, 
I do not need to record here, all of which was true, recognized 
as true by both of these friends. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


243 


“Miss Dorothy” (I have not allowed them to tell me her 
name, as yet) then received more proof from hers in spirit that 
they had been with her all day before she came here this evening, 
her Mother in spirit telling her how she winds her way between 
the motors to cross the street, asking that she wait in future, also 
that she will not agree to meet her friends but go along with 
her, and not take a taxi alone anywhere, and told her reasons 
for it. Then this spirit Mother told this daughter she had seen 
her handle those curtains at home which would not even up at the 
bottom, and COULD have said to her “a little higher, daughter” 
— as she stood there by her side. (Recognized by the woman.) 
The spirit told how this one was baffled as to a certain thing 
she had said last evening in her first sitting and how she wished 
to make this plain, as it was regarding her Father in the body. 
This she wished to speak to her alone. The Mother in spirit 
told of this girl’s career, advised re-it. Understood by the girl. 
Messages in symbol were given which she could understand 
alone, all of which were comprehended at once by the young lady 
herself. 

“You have planned to buy underwear, fluffies, tomorrow, said 
this spirit Mother.” Which was true also. 


EVIDENTIAL, SCIENTIFIC PROOF, of Survival WITH 
Memory and love AFTER “death.” New York City, March 
14th, 1922. 

Miss Baumgardner, (Alta) and friend “Dorothy” from 
Toledo. (2nd sittings.) 

“Dorothy” came first, as Miss B-has had several com¬ 

munications. “There is a lady here in spirit who wore a black 
satin dress which had a small nose-gay in it: a small bunch of 
flowers scattered over it. She saw you rip out the lace from the 
sleeves and wind in carefully. You have the point lace from 
her wedding veil, and her wedding slippers. Her jewel-box was 
then described. Glass, bound with a binding so-wide (shown) : 
painted flowers on top: in it was a gold buttercup pin which 
had a chain and a small stick-pin attached: she wore that con¬ 
stantly. But there was another pin, bar, with stones across: 
YOU have that. (All the above was acknowledged as true by 
this young woman.) 



244 


MY Proof of Immortality 


The spirit continued: “You remember how I used to suffer 
with headaches. How my head was tied up: how you used to 
come in and see Father sitting at the head of my bed with his 
hand on my forehead: and I would say “Mother’s precious: she 
will be quiet, and not make any noise?” How I wanted to live 
for my children.” Then, in the picture, psychic, cinematograph 
form, these spirits showed me this girl as a child, sitting down 
on the floor, with a doll's willow cradle in front of her, which 
had a hood on it. All they wished me to mention was the little 
girl’s fat legs. When this spirit Mother then told how she 
had to have a bed-quilt pieced for this cradle, and was so 
discerning at her age that she also required them to make for 
her dolls “rubber diapers” just as real babies had. (All acknowl¬ 
edged as true by both of these women.) 

Then, those messages concerning this daughter, and her 
home life, were given, all too sacred to be given here, all known 
and acknowledged as true. Her sweetheart in the body 
was described, his character, clothes, manners, etc., as her Mother 
wished her to understand which one she meant when giving advice 
for her, after which she said to her daughter in the body (The 
one you play cards with, while the saucer of candy is on the side, 
the one who says: YOU have it, that last trump”) (True, under¬ 
stood) giving more minute details of her life and all that is living, 
passing in that home, that this girl could never doubt her Mother 
was here and with her. Her grandmother spoke to her, sent a 
private message to her father in body, recognized by the girl 
and her friend,—while “Father’s brother who went out through a 
shot,” he is here too. (In the Civil War, true.) 

While all money matters, art of this child, her ambitions, 
etc., were told, managed: regarding more than I could or would 
write here. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: Baumgardner, J. F., Toledo, Ohio. 

February 1st, 1923, N. Y. C. 

Miss Alta Baumgardner, is the Girl to whom we gave much 
proof on the Pullman from Los Angeles, Calif. After which 
she brought her N. Y. friends, and a Toledo girl, Miss Dorothy 
Sawyer, to see us. Now, in this year she has brought her Mother 
(2030 Parkwood Avenue, Toledo, O.), and after a wonderful 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


245 


afternoon spent with all hers in spirit, they requested me to dine 
with them at the Waldorf that the Father and husband could 
have messages also. I never carry pearls. But in this instance, 
as a Brother of the man had come to unravel affairs left sud¬ 
denly but six weeks ago, when he passed with a stroke, and he 
gave his initials, "B. S.,” I did go to the Hotel and carried the 
greatest amount of proof, so that Mr. B— said, “I would rather 
have this trip to N. Y. than all the others I have made." 

His Brother, lately passed, called him "Bumm," explained 
himself, his interests, debts, etc. Also much that cannot be re¬ 
vealed here, as it is a family matter. The Mother, Aunts, Father, 
children, all acknowledged without an error of any kind, for 
both Mr. and Mrs. Baumgardner. 

One of the best things, I thought, was his Mother, who said: 
"Do you recall my large Maltese cat, and how it came home with 
half of its right ear gone?" I do, said Mr. Baumgardner: "That 
was in the house where the snowball tree grew in the front yard,” 
said the spirit Mother. "Yes," said her Son, Mr. B. "Sell the 
old Farm; the barn is falling down anyway," said this spirit. 
"That's right," said they. Their clothes, the trinkets, the homes, 
fatalities, habits, favorite dishes prepared, the guests around the 
table, described, etc. 

I went at Five P. M., returned at Nine 30; all the time being 
given to discussing life before they "died." 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: Monday, March 13, 1922. New York 

City. 

Miss Alta Baumgardner, 2227 Glenwood Avenue, Toledo, 
Ohio. 

Miss "Dorothy"—her friend—Toledo, Ohio. 

Miss Baumgardner was the young woman I met on the 
Santa Fe Train, occupying the same section with her from 
Los Angeles to Chicago, last May (1921), when I gave her many 
messages, with evidential proof, of spirit presence. 

In June this young woman came on to New York and I gave 
further proof to her and her friends (see records) (Two friends, 
both women). 

Today, hers in spirit described themselves, as well as de¬ 
scribed her father in the body, and his personal habits, appear- 



246 


MY Proof of Immortality 


ance, clothes. As this was her father’s father in spirit, and he 
wished to send word to his son in the body, words of advice as 
to that new venture in business he was engaged in now, he would 
like her to come again to this door for this sole purpose. (Under¬ 
stood, and all descriptions, correct, acknowledged so by this 
woman.) This grandfather, after describing himself, clothes, 
watch chain with charm, whiskers, told of his peculiarities, pride, 
stubborn will, and his wife, grandmother of this one was de¬ 
scribed and all relating to their personalities. (“Mother used to 
tell me when my beard needed trimming,” said this spirit, “I 
wore it short on the sides.” “And she always put the handker¬ 
chief, with the toilet water on it, in my pocket, too—” “Your 
father now wears my charm I wore on my watch chain,” said 
this spirit (Acknowledged). And, giving a sacred message to 
this girl in symbol, regarding her affairs, she understood all he 
said. 

Her Aunt Mate, Mother’s relative, was next, describing her¬ 
self from spirit, and how she came to visit but never remained 
long,—told of a summer day, this last summer, when she (this 
spirit) was present, while this girl’s Mother and she discussed 
certain things, and a certain person (explained to her, and under¬ 
stood) on the veranda built like an L—where the gladiolas 
grow in front (true), and she now wished in her moment given 
her from spirit to tell this girl as she saw her rebel, rose and 
weep going up to her room, leaving her Mother on the porch, 
she could say that she could explain a condition that would 
change this young woman’s mind on this subject. This the spirit 
did, and this was known by the woman herself, acknowledged by 
her to be true. Much valued advice was given, and each time 
she (the spirit) gave any, she added something to prove it was 
she who was speaking as a spirit. Others were mentioned, 
Mother’s relatives recently come to spirit. The value of this 
sitting was in its privacy, and I cannot divulge the things of 
import, known only to her and hers. All of which she under¬ 
stood. 

Miss Dorothy--, her friend, was given as much proof 

from her Mother in spirit, the black satin dress with a nose-gay 
in it, a bunch of flowers, about so large, said this Mother in 
spirit, who described this girl when a child, sitting on the floor 
with her dolls, and the LITTLE WILLOW CRADLE WHICH 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


247 


ROCKED AND HAD A PATCHWORK QUILT made for 
it (acknowledged), and the man who was so particular regarding 
the crease in his trousers, the position in which he used to stand 
and used to pinch her lips together, so —(showing me how he 
did) (acknowledged, all of it)—Then these went into her own 
affairs which were puzzling her, told her how to manage same, 
what door to knock on, money due her which she must collect, 
how to go about it—and advice regarding her career (all of 
which was understood), Her health, circulation problem, was 
gone into for her, the cause told,—after which she showed me 
a hand in bandage from this cause. The priest in the family 
who had crossed to spirit was with them, said this Mother. And 
many more, which she can find tomorrow when she comes back. 

Both are beautiful young women with futures before them. 
The one who brought her friend was assured, the other skeptical, 
and it was joy to me to see the recognition of hers in spirit, the 
smiles, and happiness it brought to know them with her this 
afternoon. From astonishment, to laughter, and then gladness: 
was the emotions depicted as we traveled on with these parents, 
in spirit, who gave the proof no one could give but themselves. 


Evidential Proof : Tuesday, March 4th, 1924. 

“BARNEY”, Houseman & Window Cleaner (address on file). 

This man, a Jew, has been a trusted employee, and has 
taken charge of my Apartment for a year and a half, doing all 
menial labor. And doing it well. Many times, as he worked 
away, I heard a spirit speak to me regarding him, and his family. 
Many times I promised this spirit I would some day tell him 
what was desired by them he should be told from spirit. Barney 
knew I heard the “dead”, spoke with them, as he told me a 
neighbor had inquired of him if she might not call. He had 
never asked for anything for himself from the spirits. I knew 
his religion, knew it did not permit him to seek the “dead”. So, 
I had never spoken, regarding the spirits of his own who had 
said, “some day, they would tell him what they wished him to 
know,” if I would tell him. 

Today as the good fellow brought in the carpets from the 
roof, five flights up, and laid them on the floors, a spirit said 
to me, Sarah Shatford, “WOULD you speak for a Mother to 



248 


MY Proof of Immortality 


her Boy. He is not in good health, needs a tonic. I wish to 
speak of his father to him.” “If you will prove that you are his 
Mother,” I said to this spirit who had just spoken to me, “I will 
tell him all you wish to tell him.” Then the spirit began, saying: 
“I can prove that I was there, a few days ago, beside his Father, 
in the kitchen, when his Father told him, “My only friends 
are my pipe and my tobacco.” I stood there: I heard it. His 
Father speaks with the spirits: they come to him in the night: 
they show him pictures also: sometimes he tells this Boy, “You 
see, you should do as I was told for you to do.” I hear him 
say so. My son will remember when they told me I must die, 
how I just took up the corner OF MY BROAD CHECKED 
BLUE APRON, AND HELD IT TO MY EYES, SO, SOB¬ 
BING, WEEPING: AS I DID NOT CARE FOR MYSELF, 
BUT DREADED TO LEAVE MY LITTLE CHILDREN, 
AND MY HUSBAND. His Father must step over soon. It 
is but a step here where I am: he knows that too, we have told 
him. He has a small Life Insurance. When he comes over, 
let all be simple, and do not take any debts on your shoulders 
for Papa: that is best. I hear you worry because Papa must 
sleep in the kitchen, and you cannot give him a room for him¬ 
self, and a bureau in which to keep his things: but all he cares 
is that he cannot help you with your family. I hear you talk 
of apprenticing the boy, your boy, to a Tailor, to learn that 
trade. Don’t do it. Let him learn some other, a carpenter’s. 
For then he will pay for his lumber, later, and his own men, 
and you will sit in his home with folded hands. The girl, your 
artist daughter, she is the one to educate. She can pick out a 
gem now, be it from a book, or a setting. Give her an education, 
if you can. You cannot manage this one: she knows just what 
to do: what she will do. The Cantor in the family, on your 
Father’s side of the house, is here: he stays with your Father. 
Your brother in spirit travels with you, to help you: I only come 
here when you come here, to try and speak to you, my boy. All 
that temper, and trouble, at home, with the wife, is caused by 
the pain in her mouth, her teeth must come out, and right away. 
Do this for her, then. We never went away from here, so we are 
here. You must not worry over my coming to speak to you, I 
have tried before. You say “Ever so much obliged,” and I taught 
you to say those zvords. If there was anything your Mother liked 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


249 


to eat it was a ripe pear. Now, you must work at that job which 
is heavy this afternoon, so I want you to be ready. Don’t grieve, 
will you ? And eat a hearty, warm, lunch for Mother today; for 
that work is hard. Someday, I will speak again, if I can. I 
thank you for all the things you have done for me, since I came 
here. You promised me to look out for your Father, and you 
have kept that word.” 

Poor Barney, rich Barney, was weeping. He said, as he 
wiped his eyes, “Every thing you said, is true. That is every 
word true. Every word.” 

When Barney went out again, this Mother in spirit said to 
me, “That was a Mother’s best for her Boy. Her one chance. 
He will never forget today.” 

I told him this, also, and he said, “No, I will never forget 
this day, Mrs. Shatford.” 

S. T. S. 

(See next page, same proof. Add.) 

In the night, on Wednesday, when I am reached by the 
spirits for my own important messages, a spirit said to me, “You 
did not tell about BARNEY’S SISTER IN JERSEY.” “I think 
I did omit that,” I remarked. Now I add it, too. 

When BARNEY’S Mother, in spirit, was talking with him, 
yesterday, March 4th, 1924, among those things she spoke of to 
her son was the following: “He HAS A SISTER IN JERSEY. 
THE ONE WHOSE BOY LEFT HOME, AND CAUSED 
HER SO MUCH WORRY. I WOULD LIKE TO HELP 
HER. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HER BROUGHT HERE 
SO I CAN SPEAK TO HER ABOUT HER FAMILY. She 
worries over them so. I want you to take pencil and paper, and 
write her before you sleep that I am here, and can speak to you, 
and I must speak to her too.” 

Barney said, as I have recorded already, “Every word you 
told me is the truth.” 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: Wed., Feb. 6th, 1924. New York City. 

MRS. COYLE (address on file). 

While waiting for a cross town car at 161st St. a small, stout 
woman crossed the wide street, wearing black satin sandals, 



250 


MY Proof of Immortality 


and no overshoes. She wore a fur coat, with kolinsky collar, a 
small velvet toque with a shaded ostrich plume bn the right side, 
having Alice blue in it,—she carried a parcel. 

It had rained and frozen, then thawed, and rained again, and 
the streets were in puddles. As this woman stamped her feet, 
at my side, a distance of only a few feet, for she was waiting 
for the same car, she said to me, Sarah Shatford, “My feet are 
wet, and I have neuritis, and I’m afraid I will be sick. I have 
on woolen stockings, but that has not kept them dry.” Smiling 
at this venture, knowing that there was a reason for this woman 
speaking to me, a stranger, she never saw before, I replied with 
the bromide “You must wear your rubbers when it rains!” A 
pause, and a spirit spoke to me thus. “I am hers, speak for me. 
Tell her I am here, tell her I can prove it right away that I am 
here: tell her she almost died when we lost our baby, and I 
used to come home and find her weeping with her head on her 
arm, so (showing me how, the very position). Tell her I re¬ 
member how she would not allow me to shave off my moustache, 
and would beg me not to,—” And this spirit then described 
himself to me. 

How was I to do this. What effect would it have on this 
very woman. Well, this is only ONE thing that it means to be 
able to hear the living dead. 

I said to this woman: “Did you ever have a message from 
your husband who ‘died’?” She said, “No.” I said, “Well, he is 
here, and speaks to me, and asks me to tell you something for 
him: would you like to hear what it is ?” “I should say I would, 
—isn’t that WONDERFUL?” she said. “No,” I replied, “it is 
not, it is just natural.” And I repeated all this spirit had told me, 
and when the car came, she asked to stand beside me that he could 
tell her more. She recognized at once everything this spirit told 
her. 

We crowded on, having to stand. My place was directly in 
front of a stout priest, who sat in the corner, reading his prayers 
from a smalt book. It is so natural to hear when spirits speak 
that I record here that the first thing said by this spirit to me 
after we had taken our positions was “Look out for your toes!” 
(that they were not stepped on by the crowd). The spirit then 
said: “I want to tell her that I want her to say Yes to that, but 
that the young one will step off first. Say I have NEVER LEFT 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


251 


HER. I GO ALONG WITH HER TO BUSINESS EVERY 
DAY.” “Oh, I have to get off at Jerome Avenue, I am so sorry. 
I understand all of it. How wonderful this day is for me. Good- 
by dear, Oh, good-by once more, and thank you!” And she 
alighted and was gone. 

Did the priest hear? I trust he did. I spoke for him TO 
hear, also. 


Evidential Proof: Feb. Sat. P. M. 16th, 1924. 

COYLE, Mrs. 

Turning the comer of the Library, with my arm full of 
books, I saw a short woman in a fur coat smiling broadly at me. 
Nearing this smile I saw it was the same woman I had spoken 
to, and given a message from her husband in spirit, while waiting 
for the cross town car, Feb. 6th, on my way to the Garretts. 

We spoke today of meeting again, she was saying she feared 
we should never meet again, and that she had not been able to 
think of anything else since she was given the wonderful proof 
from her husband that he was with her. Just here, a very sick 
man, who was leaning against the Library walls, faintly mur¬ 
mured a request that we help him across the street. Which we 
did, and into the Drug Store, while she went for his people on 
this same street. Mr. Murphy was his name, known to the Drug¬ 
gist, who gave him medicine at once. 

After we left the Drug Store, this woman remarked how 
strange it was that we should be speaking of the dead who were 
with us, and we should be able to help this man. While saying 
that everything was a miracle, a spirit said to me, Sarah Shat- 
ford, “Tell her I stood there when she and the girl were eating 
and heard the Girl say, “And you never got her name (mine) 
and you let her get away without it?” “Oh, she did say that!” 
said this woman. “Tell her I used to stroke my moustache, so—; 
that I remember that soup with the brown squares in it she made 
for me, and all those cakes, yellow with white frosting,—tell her 
my brother in spirit is with me here, and I would like to have 
her come and bring the daughter who is so dear to my heart as 
I want to go into those papers for her, she works, this Girl of 
ours.” “I understand all of that,” she said. “My name is Mrs. 
Coyle, and I live at -• May I come?” And I 




252 


MY Proof of Immortality 

gave her my address, as it was biting cold this afternoon, and 
I could not stand longer on the street in the blast. The spirit 
spoke to me after I had left her side, saying, “She was greatly 
pleased.” “Well,” said I, “she must deserve to be, as I seldom 
meet the same people face to face even twice, or in New York. 

After dinner this evening a spirit said to me, Sarah Shat- 
ford, as I picked up my New York POST, “You did not write 
about the Good Samaritan.” That is true, I forgot that, but I 
will. So, this is known, as all is. That, when the spirit of Mrs. 
Coyle’s husband began speaking to Mrs. Coyle, he said, “I saw 
you as you were a Good Samaritan: and that was a saying of 
mine, I was a Good Samaritan to Him,”—(acknowledged by 
Mrs. Coyle as true of her husband while in the body.) 

How far reaching is spirit knowledge. How often I am 
reminded of neglect, told of evidence I forgot to write, to include. 
Sometimes I am awakened in the night for this purpose solely. 


Evidential Proof: Given at the Wildman Residence, N. Y. C. 
CASTELLO, Miss (Catholic). 

“Mother is here. Get used to the fact, before I go on.” Said 
a spirit voice to me, as this stranger took a seat in my room at 
the Wildman’s, where I wrote the spirit’s second Book, “For 
Jesus’ Sake”. 

“I used to look forward to those excursions by Boat,” said 
this spirit Mother to her daughter before me. “I used to take 
our luncheon along, you recall,—and I wore that hat with a brim, 
with those flowers on it, and a shirtwaist (describing one). 

“I became very ill, cancer. When my dresses would not 
reach around the waist, I HAD A BLACK SILK COAT (de¬ 
scribing this coat in detail), and I USED TO TIE A STRING 
IN THE BUTTON HOLE OF MY DRESS SKIRT, AND 
PLACE THE LOOP OVER THE BUTTON, PUT ON MY 
SILK COAT, TAKE MY TINY PARASOL YOU GAVE ME 
WITH ITS BLACK HANDLE, AND GO OUT TO WALK, 
and no one was the wiser.” This Mother then described herself, 
hair, size, hands, eyes, and stood before me, as a picture on my 
brain, advanced some distance back, lest she frighten even me. 
Her personality was such that I could gather for this daughter 
all that is dear concerning a Mother. Ways, mannerisms, say- 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 253 

ings. She told of her last illness, and all was true, acknowledged 
as true, by this daughter in front of me, Sarah Shatford. 

Messages were sent to this Girl’s Father in the body, others 
were described in the spirit, and she knew forever that she had 
heard from her own Mother. 


Evidential Proof: For Miss Adah B. Connor: things not men¬ 
tioned by Miss Conner in her letter of acknowledgment. 

(On file.) 

Her Father in spirit. Description of himself, his clothes, 
habits, music, reading, the instruments he used to play, how he 
underscored his slides, how she stood on a stool to sing beside 
him when small, how she was dressed then, the library, his books, 
and who got these at his death, and his watch: his desk with its 
rose and vase, how she had seen spirits before he died, how he 
took her and Mother to see Sothern in IF I WERE KING, how 
he tied a peach-stone basket to his watch-chain to worry her 
who had to have even the clock set just so on the mantel, how 
she would appeal to her Mother “Make him take that off,” (the 
peach-stone basket)—also, All about his son, his troubles and 
debts adjusted which he sees from spirit, His wife, and the 
Mother of this girl who is still in the body, her description, the 
ailment from which she suffers, swollen ankles, etc. All her 
tastes described: her love for the beautiful, habits, etc. 

This girl’s Brother, a spirit, in khaki, hat and all described, 
handkerchief about throat, belt of cartridges, love of hunting, and 
a sack full of ducks he brought home with him, his fun-making, 
love of,—how his Mother disliked him to clean his rifle fearing it 
would go off and wound him,—how his Grandmother in spirit 
loved him, and babied him, description of her, cap and shawl by 
the window in which sat a vine on a trellis shaped like this: (told 
of its shape) how Grandma sat there to mend, also the cakes 
and candies she made, and set the table for them. 

Beside, all this girl’s work-a-day problems gone into, the 
office and work—pay—her music and choir singing as well, all 
with this father’s dear personality, and able proof of same sur¬ 
viving with love and attendance upon his daughter, who was his 
favorite child. 

As Miss Conner gave only a general recognition of these 



254 


MY Proof of Immortality 

communions, I write only what I can recall now, as I have given 
this young woman seven whole evenings with hers in spirit. 

Miss Conner is Miss Clenen’s friend. Came to me a 
stranger, and I know little more of her now, except she recog¬ 
nized each thing mentioned here, and others I cannot remember. 

For Miss Conner, I have proved life after death to her 
friend from Greensburg, Pa., Miss Emma S. Lake, who was 
given, free, a long communion with her Mother, Father, Moth¬ 
er’s brother, and grandparents also,—hers giving the most inti¬ 
mate details of the old home, when they were all together, and 
this one left home, and her sister—all just as had happened and 
acknowledged true by Miss Lake. 


Evidential Proof: Adah Conner, N. Y. C. 

Sunday Evening, Jan., 1923. 

Miss Conner has had many evenings spent with hers in 
spirit, all recognized as fast as they could recall the past, from 
Father, Brother, Grandmother, and others. 

I was told by Miss Jeanette Clenen, whose friend she is, and 
who brought her to me, that this woman was not exactly satis¬ 
fied, she was not satisfied. So, when she called this evening, 
and after we had dined at my home, I told her this, and said 
I trusted she would be entirely satisfied before she left this 
evening. 

Therefore, I have this to add to all the rest that was given 
her,—“There is a young man here rowing a boat. He says he 
dressed in khaki, tied a white handkerchief about his neck, that 
he burned but did not tan, that he has short blonde hair, and was 
an athlete. He says that you always asked him to bring you a 
pond lily, and if he could not bring a blossom to bring a bud, as 
it would open. And he showed me, in my brain, a picture of the 
Lake where he rowed, its brushes, and the shore. (Recognized) 
Then, this young man said: “I never contemplated taking my 
life for an instant: it was all an accident. Said, “if I had not 
stopped for “sandwiches” it would not have happened at all. “I 
understand that, said Miss Conner: go on.” 

This spirit then showed me his office desk, a gun he opened 
and closed, how he fell over on the floor: he told of the one who 
would not marry who loved him still, whom he loved devotedly, 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


255 


and asked that this sister convey this proof to her that it was 
accidental. Much more also, but this is all that needs to be told. 

I, Sarah ShatTord, desire to say, that all make mistakes at 
times, for I heard distinctly, as I thought, “sandwiches”, while it 
was sandbaggers that this spirit meant, as he showed me a 
watch, and a strike on the head. He said “sandwiches” which 
was sandbaggers: but his sister understood, for that was why he 
carried a gun; he had been sandbagged, held-up, and left uncon¬ 
scious, after a blow on the head, while on his way home from 
his office in N. Y. City. 

Miss Conner said, Now I AM satisfied. Miss Clenen does 
not know my brother committed suicide, and could not have told 
it,—and you know no one who knows me or my family. I always 
wondered why Jo, who gave his name and proof that he was 
here, so often, did not settle this. All that is true, and it is Jo, 
and his wife will not marry, etc. 

This letter tells how her Father in spirit told her that she 
would get the rise in salary, that it was held up in Washington: 
See Letter for proof that this is just what did happen. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: March 19, Sunday, New York. 

Miss Adah Conner: Friend of Miss Jeanette Clenen. 

It was given to these women, last week, that they would 
receive no further communion through me, as I had to be used 
for public proof, now, and they must go to a message medium. 
All who have been given dozens of sittings with me have been 
given, the last ten days, a final heaping measure, of proof, then 
told, this is good-bye, for a time at least. It makes for sadness 
with them, and with me, for I love to help the ones who come to 
me for help. But I feel myself breaking in health owing to 
constant confinement, and lack of exercise, and know I must rest 
now. So when Miss Conner came in I said it was useless, they 
had said it was good-bye. But her father in spirit wished to 
assist her over a difficulty regarding some papers she had filed, 
and which brought her here again in fact. This, after this father 
proved in a new way, giving proof scientific and that which only 
this father could give of himself and their lives at home, was 
done. Everything he had forgotten to mention before was 
brought in this time, it seems. For instance he said: “Remem¬ 
ber how I used to like that apple-jack without an under crust?” 



256 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“Yes, indeed,—” said this'girl. Again, “Your Mother has my 
horn-handled jack knife with the large blade which I used to 
cut a maple-branch of red leaves, or those small sunflowers 
(showing me these) and that yellow flower that made us sneeze 
(golden-rod).” Yes: admitted Miss Conner. Continuing the 
spirit said: “We liked to walk, and always brought home some¬ 
thing in this line.” True, said she. This spirit father figured 
out all her immediate concerns for her, when she did not under¬ 
stand he went into it so plain that she soon did understand, I 
can tell you. He said: “I should have left you better off than I 
did, but I trusted another, had too much confidence in business 
and your Mother was the loser.” All true of his money affairs 
while he looked on from spirit, sees and knows his tnistakes. 

This spirit father then said: “Recall how I just wouldn’t 
carry a purse? I wanted all my bills and change and knife and 
things in that right trousers pocket? And YOU had to mend the 
hole in it!” “True,” said Miss Conner. 

I write this final sitting, this woman’s spirits recollections (I 
am so tired I cannot spell) recollections would fill volumes, but 
how human the “dead” are, I write this final test for Miss Adah 
Conner to tell you who can call upon her, or look up her letter 
on file acknowledging it. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: Saturday evening, March 11th. 1922. 

New York City. 

Miss Jeanette Clenen and Miss Adah Conner, friends. Both 
these fine women, holding responsible positions, have had many 
communions with theirs in spirit, but drop in hungry at time, 
to get a grain added. 

Miss Clenen’s Mother in spirit gave her a financial message 
which she understood. “Your perseverance has won,” said she. 
And, as evidential proof that it was her Mother, this spirit told of 
a Five Dollar gold piece she always carried in her pocketbook, 
and never spent it, being “broke” would look at it, and put it 
back. (Recognized as true) Then, this spirit Mother said: 
“Remember how I used to stand on the front porch and wave my 
kerchief as long as you would look back?” (Recognized, also) 
When this spirit then said to her daughter: “Remember I have 
given you through this lady (the medium) gold you cannot spend, 
but you will always have with you.” And this spirit wept. I 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


25 7 


did not know why. The handkerchief continued to wave (I 
Sarah Shatford saw it waved by a spirit, saw the Mother in spirit 
as she waved it)—but, until I was awakened in the night I did 
NOT know that this was good-by from this Mother to this girl, 
and it would be the last message she would be given through me. 
It was over, the miracle, the visiting, chatting, recalling of memo¬ 
ries, friends, clothes, families, homes, work, visits made, travels, 
interests, family quarrels, and peculiarities, (they have gone back 
more than three generations for Miss Clenen, because of her per¬ 
sistence, and her nearness to my residence, during the last Three 
years, beginning at the time when I roomed with her Aunt Mrs. 
John Dutcher, 1919. 

As I have three books to proof-read, and new evidential 
proof to give to business people whom I have never seen, to con¬ 
vince them, the ones who have had great stores of proof, are 
to be satisfied. 

It was much the same with Miss Conner. There was a final¬ 
ity about the last of her proof, which I did not understand at the 
time. Her brother in spirit proved over and over he was here in 
person, recalling with his jovial ways his lightheartedness—ad¬ 
vised about Mother in the body, told of the young man, blonde, 
who had passed out before him, for whom he grieved so greatly, 
and said he was with him tonight present here (Understood) — 
told of her work and its important phase, describing the living 
people where she works, as well as all her books, desk, where it 
sets, etc. Told of his high chokers, how he had to take them to 
the Chinaman himself, no one could suit him, etc. (True) Then 
another spirit, who had never been to us before, presented him¬ 
self, showing me his watchchain, parted in the centre, with its 
charm in the centre, his habit of handling same while he talked 
and looked down upon it (Recognized) and said, “Who used 
to say: ‘Nightie-Night’?” “YOU,” said Miss Conner. 

That was all. And it too is the last for this fine girl, as 
we are told by the spirit. She knows forever, as does Miss 
Clenen, theirs are with them, know all transpiring here, have been 
with them, by reference to all that has transpired since their 
passing out of the body, proof of all the family has endured 
since. 

And my own, give me daily, this same comfort, with proof. 

Sarah T. Shatford, 


258 MY Proof of Immortality 

EVIDENTIAL PROOF: Evening May 4th. 1922. New York 

City. 

Miss Jeanette Clenen, and Miss Adah Conner: 

These women have had dozens of hours of communion with 
theirs in spirit with me as their translator. But this evening was 
the last before leaving for California and they brought in so much 
of the old times and past life, it was like a human visit with visitors. 

Miss Clenen has recently sold a property in Jersey. The 
records are being searched. One from the spirit told of just one 
cross mark on the deeds, which was not acceptable, and brought 
in a man (spirit) with a carpet bag to prove why this mark was 
on the deed to this property. After proving her father was with 
this man in spirit it was told, that mark was put there for one who 
passed out and left no guardian for two small children, and they 
could not write they were too small. 

“Well,” said Miss C— “that was in 1824: and that mark IS 
ON THOSE PAPERS.” 

“I was with you when you enclosed some stamps in a letter,” 
said Miss C—’s mother. O. K. Miss Conner’s father and 
brother and Aunt Mary gave her so much of the past, described 
those in business where she worked, the situation of her desk, 
the Officer in charge (Govt.), her mother’s finances, that which 
she was to collect owing her,—how to go about this,—while both 
father and brother in spirit described their habits, clothes, those 
who were with them, in spirit,—all evidential proof none could 
give but those outside a body. 


Evidential Proof: Nettie Clenen: 

Fanny in spirit came the last sitting, described a crayon 
picture she painted of her baby, from a small brown photo: 
wept before this: told of her loneliness, and how she has gone to 
join this child. Spoke of the “Moss agate ring zuith a FERN IN 
IT: (it was given by Miss Clenen to her chum Fanny) then 
called SMUDGE and MUGGY. This is remarkable. The cat’s 
name was Smudge, and the dog’s Muggins. 

For Miss Clenen the spirits have gone back three genera¬ 
tions. She has been a patient investigator, dropped in each eve¬ 
ning. With the above result. It would take a volume to record 
all that has been proved for Miss Clenen by her Mother, and 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


259 

hers in spirit of their daily lives when in the body, clothes, homes, 
laces, jewelry, pictures, furniture, habits, foods, the most minute 
descriptions of habits and all that went to make life for them 
when she was in the body. Miss Clenen has promised me to 
write this for the English Society. 

The spirit said to Mrs. Wildman this A. M. “There is a girl 
here who belongs to Guelph (Canada) Yes. said Mrs. W. Will 
you drive me to Petersborough ? said this spirit. Lawerie. “It 
was her girlhood friend. The spirit then told of the way they 
had of talking until daylight when she visited there. Spoke of a 
tall boy, in spirit with her who was a blonde/’ Etc. Much more. 
All true as given. 


Hotel Endicott, New York, May 3rd. ’22. 
Dear Mrs. Shatford: 

I hardly know where to begin or how to make a connected 
resume of the many talks we have had with mine who have 
passed on before. 

One very positive piece of evidence was what you called a 
“scar.” At the instant I could not recall any. You said my 
mother insisted, showed her hand and picked at it. This showed 
me she was recalling the seed-wart on the back of one hand. As 
this had entirely escaped my memory it could not be a subcon¬ 
scious condition: and you had never seen my mother,—in fact 
we did not meet till years after she passed on. 

At one of our earlier meetings she recalled a plaid silk dress 
she had had as a child, and of which I had only seen pieces. 
Also a peculiar green belt with a gilt and pearl buckle,—a family 
relic of pre-Civil War days and which I had proudly worn in 
recent years. Camel’s hair shawls, also Paisley were spoken of 
at different times. (There were four in my Mother’s posses¬ 
sion,—three being her own and one her sister’s.) 

My chum (Fanny) who passed on in 1915, before you and 
I met, recalled the other evening when swimming one time, she 
had slipped and I had gone under much to her fright, for we had 
been walking out in the water near the raft and I had just an¬ 
nounced I was beyond my depth. She did not believe me, when 
she suddenly lost her footing too. I had been “dog-tredding” 
for several yards. This was another little minor incident, very 



260 


MY Proof of Immortality 


personal, of which I had entirely forgotten. This friend also 
has brought to mind a number of personalities so very personal 
they came through in symbols. 

One night my mother said, “Well, if you want any more 
evidence, what about the fine-tooth comb?” That went back to 
my earliest childhood,—entirely forgotten by me, and an incident 
unknown to any other living being. (The side porch, with its 
vines where this was used, was described also.) 

My dear Mrs. Shatford, these things I mention are proof 
positive to me, you get your messages from those gone before,— 
those who knew while here of the incidents they relate. How 
you hear, I dare not try to imagine. But in these days of impos¬ 
sibilities, nothing is impossible; and your form of “radio” spans 
the gap long sought and seldom found as yet. 

I am hoping that the near future will solve this great prob¬ 
lem, and that we all will be able to visit with our own very often. 

With best wishes for all success, I am 
Sincerely yours, 

Nettie. 

(Letter from Miss Jeanette Clenen, 

Hotel Endicott, New York City. 

Graduate of Barnard: War-Dept. Grade A. I Finance Dept.) 

To Sarah T. Shatford 


Evidential Proof: Sunday, Jan. 4th. 1920. 

Cottrell (Mr.) and (Mrs.), Mrs. Reese, Mother of Mrs. Cot¬ 
trell, and Three sisters of Mrs. Cottrell, the Misses Reese. 
The above are all friends of Mrs. Steinke of Cincinnati, and 
it was at a luncheon given by her in New York that I met the 
above friends, heard Mr. Cottrell say he knew Mr. Edward H. 
Randall, lawyer, author, of Buffalo, N. Y., who has written 
through a medium several books. 

As Mr. Randall knew my father and our family, and as I 
remembered him, also because the Steinkes would not take a 
spirit message, sneering at the idea that spirits could and do com¬ 
municate, I accepted the invitation to visit the Cottrells and 
Reeses at their Apartment on Sunday P. M. at three. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


261 


None had ever had a message from the spirit-world. 

The first spirit to describe themselves (theirself) was an old 
lady having a market basket on her arm, same arm had the sleeve 
rolled up and was very fat. This boy, Mr. Cottrell was described 
as “one of two” twins having cheeks like apples, both of whom 
this old lady used to comfort and nurse on her breast with the 
fat, bare arms about them. She described the old kitchen “across 
the water,” the rafters of which were hung with long strings of 
dried vegetables, beans, etc. She described the pickled products 
in kegs, told how they stuffed the sausages, made kraut,—de¬ 
scribed the mountains with the snow-caps, the eidelweis, pressed 
between leaves of books,— This was Mr. Cottrell’s grandmother 
who helped to rear him, and the descriptions were all accurate. 

His father was next to tell his occupation (baker), showing 
barrels of flour, ovens of the oldfashioned kind,—telling of the 
devotion of the mother, showed me the fringed tablecloth and 
these two sitting with a loaf on the table in the kitchen. He 
understood this, as they were frugal, saving people. A brother- 
in-law was next. This one said he was indebted to Mr. Cottrell 
for sums of money advanced for his musical education, which he 
had insisted upon giving his note for but never paid. He had 
studied to become a violinist, showed me the instrument, and his 
delicate hand: described himself as being six feet tall, broad full 
brow, thick black hair and a soft downy mustache which they 
teased him about, etc. All true. A man here broke in (spirit) 
to say he wished to send a message to Meinna: she was his moss 
rose-bud (he showed me this) which he wore over his heart. 
Meinna is his daughter who is living, and they took this message 
for her, who visits at their house. The message regarded a part¬ 
ing from her husband, a division, a mortgage, etc. All of which 
they understood. 

Next, the father (Reese) came and described himself so 
minutely that his smoking jacket and home embroidered velvet 
slippers were described correctly. He gave every evidence pos¬ 
sible : described himself: his skull cap, bald head, gray mustache 
and shortcropped beard, but stopped here to describe a picture 
of himself when his whiskers and mustache were long and black, 
telling her where she kept this photo still, described a wooden 
box with a lock on it, and a letter rolled and tied with a red 


262 


MY Proof of Immortality 


string, which was his letter to her, she kept in this box, a paper 
with a seal on it, signed for a friend, and lost their savings 
through same, told her he wore a “cardigan jacket,” a “wide 
wale corduroy vest,” he smoked cigars, kept small round articles 
in his right vest pocket, here he laughed and showed me that he 
used to take these out and place these in his hand, in the palm of 
the left hand, (I could not see and he would laugh and kept me 
waiting as they laughed also) These were pills he used to take, 
always kept them in his vest pocket (right side). He gave his 
aged wife much advice, smoothed her hands, a way he had in 
life, congratulated her on the way she had brought up the family 
alone; declaring he was with her and had seen her trials: asked 
that she be taken away from the noise of city life, it was her 
wish. All verified. 

During this work while my eyes were closed a young woman 
had entered the room unseen by me. The next spirit was for 
her whom I did not know was there, a man with a cape overcoat 
and slouch hat: a musician, with advice to this girl who is an 
Artiste (pianoforte). All plain to them and understood. She 
lacked assurance. Her trial try-out would be next month with 
introductions of a singer and a producer (true) and this spirit 
desired no expense to be spared on her costume for this event, 
describing gold slippers, etc., she must have. I saw the orchestra 
conductor and his baton, but was not given to understand whether 
she was singer or not. He described jealousies which had kept 
her back until this time, else she might now be earning her living 
through her Art. True they said. 

Other messages, names, Nettie, Carlotta (the last the only 
name not recognized in the whole afternoon’s work, from three 
until seven. Max, Theresa,—and more I cannot now recall. 


Evidential Proof: Miss Nettie Clenen was a witness to this 
sitting. 

Elizabeth Casey: Friend of Mrs. Kate Morris Healy: Sunday 
evening, May 9th. 1920: 

The first spirit described herself, her bonnets, both summer 
and winter, the crepe leise at the wrists of her frocks: then, she 
spoke of her rings, the fuss over them, and said one was a round 
onyx with a diamond in the center. (Correct: all the above 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


263 


acknowledged true.) This spirit told that she never labored, but 
had a shay at the door: showed me this was in Ireland (rather, 
she took me across the water). Then, this Mother told this 
daughter she was present this day when this daughter placed a 
candle in church and lighted it, and she wished to speak to her 
regarding this request and prayer. It concerned a ring on the 
marriage finger (correct, said Miss Casey) and she said “Don’t 
ask for this: a rascal. (Understood, by the woman to whom it 
was given.) 

The second spirit to describe himself was the father of this 
girl. They were Irish, never came here, have been dead many 
years, etc. The father said he wore a plug hat: furry like: a 
widewale velvet vest: a neck cloth: and had a chin whisker which 
he twisted as he spoke, it was his habit: recognized by Miss Casey 
as true, all the above. 

The next spirit was the husband of the girl. Tall, square 
shoulders, blonde mustache, red cheeks, gray eyes: (correct) He 
gave her advice regarding their daughter ten years old who is 
crippled: wished her to bring her from Boston (correct) and 
take her to a hospital before it was too late: described a weight 
on the foot, etc. Understood: and description correct. 

Three names were called: Mike, Charlie and Louise. These 
were not for the sitter, but were for Miss Nettie Clenen, who 
was witnessing the sitting. Mike was her nick-name, and Louise 
and Charlie were related. This was all Miss Clenen received 
this evening: but they wished her to know they were there. 

Note: Miss Casey is from Ireland: her father was in the 
merchant class, and very wealthy: she works in this hotel. She 
tells me these things, I know as a Catholic she was surprised to 
learn her own were not far off. 


Evidential Proof: Sunday, Feb. 10th, 1924. 

Dymock, Miss Collie: N. Y. C. 

Miss Dymock has had wonderful proof always that her 
Grandmother whose playmate she was is still at her home and 
recalls all the old days when she was there in a body. Tonight, 
as we spoke of many things, a spirit spoke to me, Sarah Shat- 
ford, saying: “Tell her the one who took her walking so she 



264 


MY Proof of Immortality 

could wheel her baby doll carriage is here. Tell her I remember 
how she liked to blow up those leaves with a smack, so (showing 
me how this was done so I could describe it to the young lady). 
Tell her I remember how she loved to thread those beads, as I 
sat with my WHITE FLANNEL AND BLUE SILK 
THREAD STITCHING. She used to take her slate and make 
faces on it, and then when these did not please her, rub them 
out saying, “Now I am going to start all over again!” I used to 
take her hands, so, and pat one little dimpled hand, so, with my 
hand. I STOOD BY THE WHILE THEY DISCUSSED 
SELLING THE PIANO OVER AT THE APARTMENT. 
TELL YOUR FATHER WHO DOES NOT LIKE SPOOKS 
THAT I WAS THERE AND HEARD THIS, and see what he 
says to that. Surely you will NOT sell the instrument it has so 
many memories,—etc., etc. 

After the above proof was recognized so happily by this 
beautiful young woman whose companionship was so close to this 
Grandparent that she idolizes her memories, and all she is able 
to bring back past “death”, for her, the while she (the Grand¬ 
mother says: These are my presents to you: all I CAN fetch: 
hold them close: they are so precious: I used to call you Dolly, 
and say to you, “Come now, Dolly, and pick up your playthings, 
I am stepping on them”. All of which was just a prelude to a 
wonderful talk, much as visitors have, when they have not met 
each other for a season. “Grandma always called the piano the 
instrument,” said Miss D. 

“Thomas A. Dydamous, Barney B. Rudge, and Polly Glot, 
are calling!” I now hear. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF : Monday, Tue. Wed. Oct. 15th, 1923. 
N. Y. C. 

DYMOCK, Miss Collie: 

The Grandmother of Miss Dymock said: “This Girl used 
to TAKE MY HAIR DOWN, TAKE OUT THE PINS, 
WHEN SHE WAS LITTLE. I USED TO SAY TO HER 
“DOLLY, DON’T DO THAT.” “SHE WASHED HER LIT¬ 
TLE SLATE I BOUGHT WITH TINY SQUARES I CUT 
FOR HER FOR THE PURPOSE, OUT OF MUSLIN. SHE 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


265 


WOVE MATS. STRIPS OF COLORS, I CUT FOR HER. 
I HAD A WAY OF USING MY HAND, SO: (showing me, 
Sarah Shatford, how) All acknowledged, so happily, by this 
lovely Girl. 

Mrs. Dymock, Mother of this young Girl, has had several 
visits with hers, in spirit. Her Mother was described as min¬ 
utely as it is possible to describe anyone. She joked over the 
past, was jovial: brought her jewelry to me, Sarah Shatford, 
showing me these pieces: described the relations. Today, this 
Mother told this child, from spirit, “I could tell you more of 
what became of that father now. I used to wonder, you know. 
And sometime, when you care to come for this purpose, I can 
lift that stone, and tell you regarding this matter also. “Do you 
understand?” I asked of Mrs. Dymock. For she looked fright¬ 
ened. “Indeed I do,” said Mrs. Dymock. “I SHOULD LIKE 
TO KNOW MORE OF THAT. THAT IS JUST WHAT I 
SHOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE THAN I CAN SAY.” 
The same spirit Mother then said, to prove she was conversing 
about THEIR PASTS, “DO YOU REMEMBER THE 
HONEY-JUG?” How Mrs. Dymock laughed. “Yes,—yes,— 
we all remember that still,” said Mrs. Dymock. When she told me 
this: The child, Cellie, was allowed to buy some honey, from a 
wagon (in a jug) while this Grandmother of Collie’s, who often 
has spoken with her, was in the body. They saved the honey-jug, 
and the quality of the honey was so fine they said, “When that 
man comes back again we will buy some more. He never came 
back,—but the child treasured the jug, and this promise, (and 
they still have the jug) and would say, always, “WHEN THE 
MAN COMES BACK WE ARE GOING TO BUY SOME 
MORE!” Mrs. Dymock said, as long as Collie was a child this 
was repeated at sight of the jug. 

This Mother in spirit told of her ways while in a body. Her 
newspaper, where she read it, looked for it,—told how she fon¬ 
dled this Grandchild, her way, how she “smacked her little 
throat”, what she called her,—her own mannerisms,—dislikes, 
family matters, etc. Which are sacred, and of no use to write 
here. All recognized as true. And gratefully received. April, 
1923. 


266 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof, Friday, Nov. 9th, 1923. 

Fifth Avenue Bus, Inside: A Dancer, Girl about seventeen, 

enroute to her modists on Riverside, near 118th St. 

As I, Sarah Shatford, sat in the half-seat (over the wheel) 
in a Fifth Avenue Bus today, several women tried to occupy the 
other half, too small for them. Finally a slight girl smiled and 
said, “May I try to sit down there, I am so tired out I’ll make it 
do I think.” After settling down in this seat, this girl said to me: 
“I have been shopping, and I am so depressed, the day is horrid, 
don’t you think ?” I smiled, looked at her, and replied: “If I had 
your youth again No day would be horrid to me. You are too 
young to be depressed!” She then opened a small envelope in her 
hands, saying that she had to search for this material and even 
now had not been able to get the squirrel fur for the costume in 
her hand, of crepe, gray, satin back. I merely mention these 
things, not knowing her name, as everything is of value in this 
case. We spoke of depression coming from lack of luncheon 
while shopping, etc., but she had been to lunch on Madison Ave¬ 
nue, and was surprised at the cost of same when handed her 
check. This girl was so lovely, fresh as a Spring day, and we 
laughed over money, costs of food, etc. A spirit spoke to me 
saying, “I must give her hope, she is one of two, almost the same 
age, this is Mother.” I replied to this spirit, make it possible and 
I will give your message. Again the spirit spoke, and said, “She 
dances. Her sister has been to see her recently, and must reform 
or lose her balance, she has a bad habit, she must stop it at once. 
This daughter must brush aside the offer of marriage from the 
boy who wishes to hurry her into marriage, the one who cannot 
wait. For he is anxious to make a business out of his feet, and 
to take her for his dancing partner. He is all feet and has no 
head to speak of. Later an older man will approach, his hands 
filled with blessings of another sort: I want her to wait. But 
she must not throw this boy down at once or her living will stop 
perhaps. This is her Mother, and she has A MINIATURE OF 
ME WITH CURLS: ALSO A PURPLE VELVET CASE.” 
“TELL HER TO WRITE TO THAT ONE BACK HOME 
WHO SENT HER SO MUCH MONEY, THAT GOOD 
WOMAN, TO WRITE OFTEN.” 

I asked the girl, “Will your frock be a dancing frock?” She 
said, Yes. “Pastel colors are so beautiful with gray of that 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


26 7 


shade,” I said. “But see how wonderful this is with your squir¬ 
rel collar,” she replied, enthusiastically, almost dramatically. “I 
knew you danced,” I told her. I write songs, said I. Telling 
her of my published songs, she knew several of them. How won¬ 
derful, said she. Could you use a song if I gave you one, I 
asked. I do not sing, she said. Then I told her that I did not 
write songs any longer, that I wrote books. Thus I had to lose 
time she might have had with her own Mother on that tram, in 
order to approach the subject in a way that I could give her 
Mother’s message, so important to two daughters in bodies. 

Needless to record here all registered of this spirit’s mes¬ 
sage was recognized, acknowledged at once, gratefully too, and 
the Girl rode past her street comer in order to get the rest of 
her Mother’s proof that it was her Mother by her side and by my 
side who had given this message. “I have that miniature, and 
recognize that purple velvet case, and understand what she means 
for my sister, and all you gave for me I understand.” She 
thanked me, and I wrote down my name for her, a thing I do 
not do for strangers, as I have all I can do every hour. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: May 9th, 1922. New York. 
Demarast, Mrs. Frank, NYC. 

A young daughter stood at the knee of this young woman, 
a girl born eight years ago. This was recognized. Next her 
Mother in spirit described herself thus: Stockily built, large bust, 
dark hair parted in center bang across front: I liked and wore 
“China silk” and you have my black beads. (All true, said this 
woman.) The spirit said, there is another girl, these two used to 
go out together, and I stood in the window and waved to them 
(True, said the woman) “Do you recall how I used to show 
the neighbors the dolls clothes you made?” said this mother in 
spirit, as she lifted up the dolls skirts and showed me (Sarah 
Shat ford) the undergarments made like a real child’s),—(Yes, 
said this daughter, smilingly) “You have my prayer book and 
my rosary too,” said this spirit.” “I have,” said the daughter. “I 
see you use them,” said this spirit. Then, this mother went into 
detail regarding the home life of this girl and of her sister, send¬ 
ing the sister the message she needed most at this time (recog- 



268 


MY Proof of Immortality 


nized) After this this Mother in spirit described the summer 
jaunts they took: showed me the basket having two sides which 
lifted, how they looked forward to going, and how they came 
home so tired out but satisfied, then stopping for a moment the 
spirit said: “Dd you recall all the swarms of flies there where 

we went?” “Yes,” said Mrs. D-, “I do.” “Your uncle, my 

brother, who used to help me and was a comfort to us, he is 
with me here, and when I found you were coming today I 
brought your young friend (a girl in graduation costume) who 
was so dear to you, and for whom you grieved so—she is here.” 

(Recognized by Mrs. D-) This Mother in spirit then said: 

“Keep on piling the boxes up in the corner, and don’t move until 

he gets a rest and returns in the fall.” (Mrs. D-said those 

boxes)—“we hear you talk about moving, and we see the boy 
has worn out another pair of shoes! Oh so many shoes.” (Rec¬ 
ognized, with a smile.) The spirit told of the long time this one 
had worn black, the numbers of funerals in so short a time, she 
described her lot in the cemetery, two long graves and two short 
ones, told of the two children she had in spirit with her,—and 
then said, after advising this child re-her health, etc., “Papa is 
here now.” 

The spirit of a man described himself, came with a bunch 
of radishes in his hand, said he was so proud of his garden, and 
the first fruits of it,—told how he had held her on his lap with 
the linen book with pictures, teaching her her letters of the alpha¬ 
bet (recognized), wore a brown beard mixed with gray, broad 
rolling brim hat (true), then gave advice regarding her husband’s 
business. What they wished him to do to succeed. He told 
how he had tapped on the lamp shade, and in the kitchen, and 
once on the mirror of her bureau, to let her know she was not 
alone : (this she recalls, and how it made her feel nervous) Most 

intimate advice was given, and recognized. As Mrs. D- 

brought a young son who was ailing with her, and this child cried 
most of the time, I was compelled to halt and amuse the child 
first before I could go on, which hampered my best effort, of 
course, but as this was a Catholic woman, and the child of a won¬ 
derful . Catholic Mother in spirit, who brought forth a son for 
the priesthood, and was broken hearted when, after trying, he 
concluded he “was not called” her heart was broken, etc.—I 
register this much. 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


269 


ELLIOT (Mrs.) 

Her Mother, Father, Husband, girl friend (Carrie) Jo, a 
man of the stage who lived at her house and was taken from 
there to the Hospital where he passed out,—and others. 

Her Mother described herself perfectly, they said, one thing 
being “cheeks as red as apples”. Gave her advice as to her 
health. 

Her father spoke of her mortgages, her notes, her obliga¬ 
tions: all understood. 

Her husband, described as wearing a Panama hat, white 
stiff shirt, cane with gold top, black Prince Albert coat, beard 
of gray and mustache clipped. He came to plead for forgive¬ 
ness: he had squandered the means she should now be enjoying 
without hard labor (boarders), he told of their trips to the coun¬ 
try and the food and bottles taken along, he told of his position 
in the spirit because of his wrong-doing, pled for charity, etc. 
This was all recognized. (I am a stranger in the neighborhood 
personally, take my meals at Mrs. Elliot’s only, know nothing 
of her private affairs, and know nobody who does. S. T. S.) 

Carrie described her manner of dressing her hair (with a 
tall comb at the back: spoke of her surplice waist with a short- 
waisted dress having ruffles,—her large eyes, their close friend¬ 
ship, and referred to the time Mrs. Elliot rode horseback, de¬ 
scribed the horse and Mrs. Elliot’s riding habit and crop, that 
she rode side saddle, etc. There was much more I need not 
recall. Mrs. Elliot and I were alone at this time: she was sitting 
up for the first time after illness. 


Evidential Proof: Sunday, Dec. 7th, 1919. 7:30 P. M. 

Mr. and Mrs. Royal Wilbur France, N. Y. C. 

Mrs. France is the daughter of Mrs. Camp, for whom I 
gave much fine evidential proof in November, T9. 

First a soldier spoke to Mr. France thanking him for favors 
he had rendered him “before he came over”: described himself. 
Mr. France could not place him. As he works with the Y. M. 
C. A., being the son of a Minister, he said he had done a great 
deal for the boys, as he expressed it. 

Next, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. France, Mr. Camp, 



270 


MY Proof of Immortality 


described himself, his paintings, which were his earthly treas¬ 
ures, proved that he knew they were sold and at a sacrifice: 
described the loss of the fortune he left his son; told of 
his last illness, and proved to the satisfaction of these his kin 
that even personality survives the change. This one was so 
witty and like himself that he kept us all laughing for an 
hour. His wife then described the home they had occupied 
when she was in the body: correctly done, even to the parties 
they gave, the dresses she made with her needle for this 
young girl etc. She described this girl’s mother’s ailment, also her 
religion, told also that this girl was pregnant, and “would not 
lose this one” but hold it in her arms “on schedule time”. As 
this fine young wife had had a premature birth about a year ago 
and was but two months pregnant, think this was proof enough. 
However, Mr. France’s business connections were discussed, cor¬ 
rectly, too; they saw him crossing over (Europe), which he IS 
SLATED TO DO,—But the spiritual messages for Mr. France 
were most beautiful. They told of his leadership of men: his 
ability to make men do right, his lack of funds and sacrifices 
made for this purpose: and as this was done tears rolled down 
their faces. I afterwards learned why. They both feel called to 
do the work that counts: have given till it hurts, are selfless, con¬ 
genial mates, furthering the work of the Brotherhood of Men, 
all to their own upliftment, let me say here, as I seldom meet 
with their kind in this City. 

The Address was mailed to me later—one of Mr. France’s 
talks to the men he leads,—but I knew nothing of them when 
they came to me. S. T. S. 


Evidential Proof: Saturday, September 29th, 1923. 

Miss Gertrude Goldberg, Teacher, Public School. 

One afternoon, on the Concourse Bus Line, this smart young 
woman sat in front of me. I saw her books. One of them read 
“Song-Plays”. As I have written Songs and Plays, I asked her 
what these were, and she told me they were children’s Play time 
devices. We spoke at length on my songs published etc. When 
I said that I did not write songs now, but books, we spoke of 
the spirit voice, and my development, and experience. 

She asked me to come to see her, and I returned the invita- 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


271 


tion. This day she had written me a note, and I had replied that 
I would be glad to see her. I write so much as this is all I knew 
of Miss Goldberg. 

A spirit presented herself first by showing me, on my brain, 
a picture of her hat she wore when she took this one out to roll 
her hoop. This spirit then described Miss Goldberg as she was 
when a child, her little white dresses “like a circus rider’s,” said 
this spirit voice. “She called me GAMMA,” said this spirit. 
(All of this was recognized at once by the young woman before 
me.) This spirit then referred to her black dress worn on cer¬ 
tain occasions, and brushed and hung up, making light of her 
habit. (Recognized at once by Miss Goldberg) This spirit then 
told how, in the family, this child’s love for this Grandmother 
had been the cause of family words. That her Mother had al¬ 
ways said she cared more for her Grandmother than she did for 
her. (Admitted true by the young woman) This Grandmother 
in spirit then put on her black coat, and hat with mourning veil, 
and spoke of the immediate response she always made when cer¬ 
tain papers came. (Recognized at once) The spirit then went 
into her kitchen and showed me the various things made there 
by her for this girl, saying “MALTASCHEN”. (Recognized at 
once) Continuing the spirit told of those nut cakes made WITH 
BREAD CRUMBS WHICH TOOK SO MANY NUTS TO 
MAKE THAT I USED TO BUY NIGGGERTOES AND 
CHOP THEM UP. (Recognized at once by Miss Goldberg) 
This spirit then said, “I was present at home when your coming 
to speak with me was criticized, and you were advised not TO 
DISTURB ME. TELL MAMA I NEVER WENT AWAY 
SO I DID NOT HAVE TO COME BACK, I WAS HERE.” 
(This was admitted true by Miss Goldberg.) 

The spirit then described herself. And telling the young 
woman how she had already been able to impress her from spirit, 
she said, “I MADE YOU DIP THAT LACE ON YOUR 
WAIST THE SECOND TIME FOR IT WAS NOT ECRU 
ENOUGH THE FIRST TIME.” “This is really true, I did 
that, and I feel that Grandmother never left us,” said Miss Gold¬ 
berg. 

The spirit then told how she had never been happy since her 
husband died. (True) That she found him awaiting her, AND 
GRANDPA PUT HIS ARM ABOUT MY SHOULDER, SO, 


272 


MY Proof of Immortality 


AS HE ALWAYS DID IN LIFE, AND PATTED MY 
SHOULDER, SO (Showing me, Sarah Shatford, just how) 
(True, said the Girl, he did that always) Then this Grandfather 
in spirit said, “There is one here who used to putty the windows. 
He always made a soft lump for you to play with, and you used 
to make faces out of it.” (True, said Miss Goldberg) 

These two spirits, then, went into some affairs for the young 
woman, giving in symbols, readily understood by the young lady, 
the solution of those affairs. Each time any advice was given, 
there was a separate proof given that it came from these two 
spirits. Once, the Grandmother said, “I used to send her out 
with money and she lost it from her little closed hand, so we 
told her to carry it, SO: (Showing me, Sarah Shatford, how 
the child’s two hands had been made to hold the piece of money. 
“True as can be,” said Miss Goldberg. 

The family affairs need not be registered here. All was 
understood by the one who sat before me, sent home to her 
Mother, and at last this Grandmother said, “I found my two 
children here waiting for me, too.” (True, said the woman, she 
had two there.) This beautiful spirit, soul, had been “dead” 
just four months. It was difficult holding on, she was so frail,— 
and she described her pain, the way she groaned at last, and told 
“I HEARD YOU ALWAYS WONDERING IF I WERE 
CONSCIOUS OF MY SUFFERING.” “This was true, too,” 
said Miss Goldberg. 

As these spirits went on and on with their proof, this Girl 
said, “How miraculous that you should speak to me that day: 
that I am here, hearing all this: that I happened to take that 
very bus.” 


Evidential Proof: Miss Gertrude Goldberg, Public School, Sept. 

2nd. 1923. 

As I promised to go to the School and see Miss Goldberg’s 
pupils, the little children she teaches how to Play, I arrived quar¬ 
ter to Three as I had promised. 

We walked through the Park at the close of her class, and 
spoke of her experience here, when her Grandmother proved to 
her she was alive, and remembered all the old days by referring to 
them. Miss Goldberg told me her Mother ridiculed the experi- 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


273 


ence and she had told her all that was brought by the spirit world 
for her here of proof. So I asked her to take the Bus when we 
would see if the spirits would not speak to her, and give her more 
this day. It was a Jewish Holiday. 

We had not to wait long. Almost as soon as seated a spirit 
said: “If Mother would come and hear from her sister in spirit 
she would not doubt long.” “Mother has a sister in spirit,” said 
the Girl. The Grandmother then described the food liked by this 
girl “lettuce with oil.” “Who used to eat so much of that?” 
“Grandfather who brought his hands filled with white cherries 
with the stems on them is here.” (Acknowledged by Miss Gold¬ 
berg) This Grandfather in spirit then described his clothes, 
and himself, and said “You recall how I used to go to the Bank 
with just so much money, on just a certain day?” Yes said the 
Girl, I do. 

While waiting for the Bus, a spirit said to me, Sarah Shat- 
ford, “This Girl has been mediumistic since a child: she played 
with little spirits, and called them by name. She used to say, “I 
wont be lonesome because Amy will be with me.” I did that, 
I was a very imaginative child. But I do not recall spirits. 

The Grandfather then said: “I should like to speak of your 
Father in body. She (her Mother in body) need not look for 
him. If she had not gone into a temper when it happened she 
might now be holding the reins in her hands.” 

I said to this spirit, “I do not like to give this to the Girl for 
her Mother.” 

“Tell her it came from me,” said this Grandfather, “she 
knows it is true.” Apologizing then I told what this fine spirit 
gave for his own, which was recognized as true by the Girl her¬ 
self. 

These spirits walked home with me, Sarah Shatford. As 
they bade me goodby at my door, one said, “You are good, no 
matter who you are. And I want to say you will never want 
or starve. Don’t worry about it.” 

The Grandmother told the girl, “Do you remember how I 
used to take your little chin in my hand, so, when I talked ear¬ 
nestly to you?” Yes, said the Girl, of course I recall it. 
Much else that is not written down, all recognized and 
admitted true at once. This was given on top the Concourse Bus, 


274 


MY Proof of Immortality 

in all the noise, smoke of traffic and adjusted to each one as they 
spoke from the “dead” (so called). 

When I left Miss Goldberg, I invited her Mother to come 
a week from Saturday, and also her best girl friend whom she 
spoke of as Mildred. The invitation was accepted. 

The Grandmother said, also, “You were wondering if you 
should tell the Rabbi, and I advise you to tell him, and to fetch 
him too.” Do this, please do, said I. 

After writing the above, while I sat reading the LITERARY 
DIGEST, a spirit said to me, “You forgot to write down how 
Grandmother told that Gertrude used to finecomb her hair.” “Oh 
yes,” I said, “but I will go right now and write it down.” And 
this was admitted true by Miss Goldberg. Her Grandmother 
told her on this day, “Never mind what anyone says, or believes, 
YOU KNOW. Hold fast to all I have brought you, for it was 
like I had a padlock in my hand and no key to fit into it, and 
along came this one (meaning me, Sarah Shatford) and I made 
a rose to blossom from a stick.” Her Grandfather said, “Well, 
I found no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.** 


Evidential Proof: Sat. Afternoon, Nov. 17th, 1923. 

Miss Gertrude Goldberg: 

A spirit held up before me, Sarah Shatford, a single yellow 
daffodil. A spirit voice said, “I used to like this Spring flower 
the best of all: she liked Narcissus. Who used to like forgetme- 
nots, would place them in a water glass on the dining room table, 
and after dinner carry them in her room?” “I recognize all of 
that, it is my Grandmother.” Continuing, this same spirit spoke: 
“I used to play with her, and she had a doll as big as she was 
which she would place in my arms and say, You sing it to sleep, 
Gramma. And I WOULD SING THAT LULLABY IN A 
FOREIGN LANGUAGE, SCHLOFFEN, SCHLOFFEN, re¬ 
member?” Indeed yes, said Miss Goldberg. Spirit voice con¬ 
tinued : “She used to like my coffee cake best, because I placed 
nuts on the top and MELTED THE SLTGAR AND CINNA¬ 
MON TOGETHER AND POURED IT OVER THE TOP 
AND BAKED IT IN ROUND PANS.” That is all true, said 
Miss Goldberg. I was with her when she met him the other 
day, the man with the big biceps, who is so proud of his athletic 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


275 


stunts,—he wore a green and red tie with a gray pearl in the left 
side of it, and she was helped into his square top car. (Much 
else of a private nature here, all acknowledged however) “There 
is an old man here who used a small black comb he kept in his 
high vest pocket to comb his mustache,—I carried a BLACK 
WALKING CANE WITH A SILVER TOP: I USED TO 
BUY POP CORN AND SHELL IT AND POP IT FOR 
HER. (All acknowledged) “I USED TO HOLD HER ON 
MY KNEE WHEN SHE WORE THOSE WIDE SASHES 
AND THEY WOULD SAY DON’T LET HER SIT ON HER 
SASH, when I would place the ribbons over the chair arm.” 
(Acknowledged) “I want to say about her father’s business,— 
(all recognized) and the one who gives all in her Uncle’s fam¬ 
ily, etc. etc. all understood. 

The Grandmother then gave messages of worth to this child, 
and for her girl friend about important conditions, all known and 
received gratefully. 

“To prove once more that I am here,” said Grandma, “you 
know how I hated to put up those two horns at night, my frizzes, 
one here, so, winding it so and so, and fastening it at the top, so.” 
Yes,—acknowledged. When the new business venture of the 
Mother was gone into, the partner described, the location found 
fault with, a move counselled, etc. etc. all afternoon, and until 
near Seven at night, as fast as I could speak for these loved ones 
in spirit. When Miss Goldberg said, “Oh, how lovely this visit 
has been today, how happy I am, Mrs. Shatford, and how much 
I thank you.” 

We can not record all, it was private, but after each dis¬ 
cussion a new proof was given that only the dead could bring that 
they were giving the messages themselves. 


Evidential Proof: Swedish Hostess of the NIKKO Restaurant: 
Feb. 17th, 1922. 

Having given Kitty a message, here, I was spoken to in a 
manner in which I knew this one was seeking to reach hers. 
This fine young woman (about 30) is known by all who enter this 
Cafe, as a most pleasing, hospitable, overseer. She advised me 
to partake of certain things on this day, for which I thanked her. 
I had a cold. I said: “You are very kind to recommend these 



276 


MY Proof of Immortality 


things, someday I will do something for you that money cannot 
buy.” What IS that? said this foreigner with accent IS there 
such a thing in this world?” she resumed. Yes, I said: ask Kitty. 
Kitty said “That’s right.” 

“I hope you do not postpone it too long, then, said this fine 
girl, of character and stamina. 

Well, if you have time now, sit down opposite me, and I 
will prove all I say is true. I will give you proof that your own 
who have died are living and here with you, I told her. “Can 
You do that?” she asked? Yes. Just keep still. 

First: Grandma, with her own costume, failings, of body, 
the certain kind of collars and cuffs she wore, starched stiff— 
yes, yes, said she: then Mother in perfect description, appearance 
and clothes, and the WHITE CROCHET BAG WITH 
FRINGE ON THAT WAS HERS WHICH YOU HAVE 
(acknowledged) the size of her family in Sweden,—the brother 
WILLIE who was with her, the tall man with the pair of oxen 
who was hers in Sweden, and the little grave with its tiny head¬ 
stone back there under the snow, on which in summer a flower 
always blossomed,—all told. Then the father with a red beard, 
parted in center and brushed with a part, who was an Artist, 
whose works were catalogued, the price of one would keep this 
one for life,—who caused the sorrow to her young life and her 
Mother’s life,—all told: and recognized. As this woman wept, 
and was only able to nod her head, Yes. Then this family 
group, in the spirit world, told her of her intimate life and 
worries and the matters puzzling her brain and heart: all of 
which was truthfully told and advice given to remedy same, as 
they saw it best from that side of life, and more I do not deem 
worth while to divulge here for time. 

To say this woman was grateful, astonished,—is not to say 
half she was able to say at last. 


Evidential Proof: “Kitty”, Waitress. 

84th St. & Col. Ave. N. Y. C. 

Feb. 6th. 1922. 

While having luncheon today at the above place, waited 
upon by a young Irish girl, a spirit spoke to me and said: “Her 
Mother would like to tell her something.” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


277 


“Whose Mother?” I asked. “Kitty's”: said the voice. 

The waitress returned for my plates, when I asked her: 
“Is your name “Kitty” ? 

“Yes,” she replied: why?” 

“You’re a Catholic, aren’t you?” I asked of her. 

“Yes,”—said she. 

“Well,” said I, “you can’t take a message from your Mother 
then, in the spirit world, for the priests don’t allow you to hear 
from the dead.” 

“Well, if I could I would, anyhow,” said Kitty. 

Then go along with your work, and I will get the message, 
and give it to you.” I said. 

“Tell her I ask her who used to put Mother’s hair up in 
crimp pins an inch wide, with a pin to hold on the end? Who 
used to say, “Come on Mother, till I make you beautiful?” 
“She bought me a lawn dress out of her earnings, white with 
a gray leaf in it, and I made it with a wide ruffle on the skirt,— 
sewed for her on the machine. Tell her I see her go home to 
that little room in the back three flights up, watch her bathe her 
feet in the bucket at night, and am right there too. Tell her 
I hear all that girl she sleeps with says, and she is not to take 
any stock in such things as she talks about. 

Tell her the two beaux she has and does not know which to 
take, I would like to help her choose. The one who throws 
boxes of candy in her lap, and flowers, there is nothing back 
of this one, he would spend his last dollar for a new neck-tie. 
But the other one, not so stylish, whom she calls stingy, is true, 
and if he had it would put it in her own hand and say: Go get 
yourself whatever you want. He is my choice, and he will 
some day own his own shop” 

“Mother knows her fuss with the other one: He has been 
sick had to have the doctor. He thought all the more of you 
for the falling out. “Then this Mother in the spirit told this 
child- 

ALL OF WHICH WAS AND IS ACKNOWLEDGED 
TRUE BY THIS GIRL—AND UNDERSTOOD BY HER, 
even to the bucket in which she bathes her feet. 

“Kitty said: Isn’t that the most wonderful thing ever I 
heard in my life!” 

“That’s my Mother: that’s my Mother!” she kept on saying 



278 


MY Proof of Immortality 


as I delivered the message in spite of rattle and bang of dishes 
and voices in a public cafe. 

Feb. 10th. “Kitty’s Mother said to me today at luncheon: “Ask 
her if she would like to speak with her brother, the one who 
had the rich brogue. There are three of us in spirit together 
from our family.” 

I told the girl this, and she said it was true: and that 
she would like to speak to the brother with a brogue. 

“Tell Kitty the young man in our family, tall dark with 
black hair, who was studying for the priest, he is here also 
with us.” Which same relative was recognized by this young 
woman.” 


Evidential Proof: Sunday, Jan. 6th, 1924. 

“Katie”: Waitress. New York City. 

(Catholic) This girl has served me many times, and been given 
many messages. I had not seen her, or been in this Cafe 
for some time, until twice this fall. A spirit said to me 
this day, “Company is coming”. “Yes?” Please speak to 
my Girl for us. We want to cheer her up: she is tired 
out: she has two boys asking for her company: the tall one, 
who wears horn spectacles, and is jolly, always laughing, 
he is a favorite with all the girls, and conceited about it. 
The short one is the best for her. Tell her to say to this 
one, “If you mean it come see me sometime.” And see 
what will happen, for he is in earnest. To prove that I am 
her Mother, tell her I LAUGH WHEN I THINK OVER 
HOW SHE USED TO MAKE UP THINGS OUT OF 
HER IMAGINATION AND TELL ME LONG 
STORIES JUST TO GET ME EXCITED AND THEN 
TELL ME THAT IT WAS NOT TRUE, SHE HAD 
JUST MADE THAT UP. WE HAD TO PUNISH 
HER FOR IT. HER FATHER AND I QUARRELED 
OVER IT. TELL HER MOTHER REMEMBERS 
HOW SHE USED TO PUT A HALF DOLLAR IN 
HER HAND AND TELL HER TO GO SPEND IT 
AND NOT TO TELL HER FATHER ABOUT IT AT 
ALL.” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


279 


All the above was given to this girl, and all was ac¬ 
knowledged true by this girl. This spirit then said, “ONE 
OF THE GIRLS SHE HAS HELPED TO RAISE IS 

INCLINED-, and she must 

be watched and told to do differently. “This too was ac¬ 
knowledged, and gratefully received. This spirit Mother 
then said, “HER FATHER AND HER BROTHER HERE 
IN SPIRIT ARE AWAY WITH THE OTHER ONE, 
BUT I WATCH OVER HER WHILE SHE IS AT 
WORK.” And the brother in spirit was then described 
to me, Sarah Shatford, by the Mother in spirit. All of 
which was acknowledged true, and accurate, by this Catholic 
girl on this Sunday afternoon. As she walked away from 
me, smiling and happy, this spirit said to me “GOD HAS 
BEEN GOOD TO ME THIS DAY.” I called “Katie” 
back and told her what her Mother said, and we spoke of 
the wonder of miracles, such as had just been performed, 
and I said to this fine girl who has helped educate and sup¬ 
port two orphans with her salary as waitress, “I came in 
here just in time to give you, of all in this cafe, a message 
from the dead: who of all sitting here now, guesses that the 
dead are here and speaking to you and to me, Katie?” “Tell 
the Priest when you go to confession,” I said to her. “And 
give him my address, and say I should like to give him some 
messages from his in spirit too.” “I will do that,” said 
the girl. 


Miss Goldberg, and her friend, Miss Mildred Kameler, on Satur¬ 
day the 20th. 

The friend of Miss Goldberg could not recall her own 
Mother or Father, so those describing themselves, from spirit, 
except her step-Grandmother, could only be acknowledged “as 
they say they were”. But the one nearest her in body, who 
raised her, the step-Grandmother, was not satisfied to go un¬ 
recognized, and I seldom ever worked so hard as for this lovely 
school teacher. 

Finally this spirit said, “heir looms: the old book.” Yes, 
yes—that is hers, I have that, said Miss Kameler. When the 




280 


MY Proof of Immortality 

spirit described her favorite flowers (narcissus) and how this 
young girl always brought her a bouquet of them. (Recognized, 
also) The spirit continued, “What I want to see is a family 
reunion.” “Oh, that is great,” said the girl. “I wish you could 
make it come about.” After this, this Grandmother told how 
this one smoothed her hands, cared for her, and said, “Do you 
remember how worried I used to be about the taxes?” 

“Yes INDEED,” said Miss Kameler. 

After this, the most private affairs of this girl's life were 
discussed in symbolic form, keeping all to themselves, but all 
of which were understood, and gratefully received. This Grand¬ 
mother told how she was palsied, her hands shaking so much 
she could scarcely untie packages. (Recognized at once by 

Miss K.) 


Evidential Proof : Wed Evening, Nov. 28th, 1923. 

Miss Gertrude Goldberg, and her Mother: By appointment. 

The spirit of an elderly man stepped to the side of the 
Mother, saying: “I used to rub my hands together, so: (show¬ 
ing me) and say, “What can we do about it—let us see what 
can be done about it.” “I used to step to that window that 
looked out on the court, there, and take my penknife out and 
tap on the window, so:— 

“My boots were SQUARE TOED: MADE BY ONE 
COBBLER TO MEASURE: I USED TO BUY THE FIRST 
VIOLETS AND BRING THE SMALL BUNCH HOME, 
AND YOUR MOTHER WOULD SAY? “HOW MUCH?” 
AND WHEN I WOULD TELL SHE WOULD SCOLD. 
YOUR MOTHER IS ON MY ARM HERE NOW JUST 
AS SHE USED TO BE WHEN WE WENT OUT TO¬ 
GETHER WHEN SHE HAD SUCH TROUBLE WITH 
HER EYESIGHT AND STUMBLED AT THE CROSS¬ 
INGS” 

“I AM HERE,” said this Mother, then. “YOU KNOW 
HOW I REMOVED MY OVERSHOES, BY PLACING 
THE TOE ON THE HEEL, TAKING THEM OFF WITH 
EACH FOOT WITHOUT TOUCHING THEM? YOU 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


281 


KNOW HOW I HAD TO GO, RAIN OR SHINE TO THAT 
SAME PLACE FOR THE POTATO SALAD? I REACH 
YOU IN YOUR SLEEP BY YOUR DREAMS: I AM 
THERE WITH YOU. (This was admitted later, and examples 
told). And all the above was at once recognized, her own ad¬ 
mitted there, with their trinkets etc. etc. 

‘The GRANDFATHER WITH THE SKULL CAP 
WHO TRANSLATED MSS. FROM THE ARABIC AND 
WAS ORTHODOX IN RELIGION, is here too/’ And this 
spirit described himself in detail, his gestures when speaking, 
his advice regarding Religion, his habits. All admitted true, 
by Mrs. Goldberg. 

“The one you call “SIS” is here. You remember MY 
STRIPED LAWN DRESS WITH THE ROMAN KEY IN 
IT WITH NARROW LACE ON SO MANY FRILLS? 
(Recognized) “YOU REMEMBER HOW WE LOVED TO 
DANCE? AND MY WHITE SATIN SLIPPERS I KEPT 
UNDER THE BED ? WITH MY HATS AND HAT BOXES, 
IN THAT SWEET NEW FLAT WHERE THE BED ROOM 
WAS ROSE PINK AND THE OLD FASHIONED INSIDE 
SHUTTERS WERE WHITE, AND THE DRESSING 
TABLE SAT IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER BY THE 
FRONT WINDOW? REMEMBER THAT IMPORTED 
MANICURE SET ON THAT TABLE AND THE JOKES 
ABOUT THAT? YOU REMEMBER MY GOLD CHAIN 
AND LOCKET OLD FASHIONED, shaped SO: THE 
CHAIN WAS DOUBLE LINKS: SO: (showing me) (Recog¬ 
nized) “YOU KNOW HOW AFRAID I WAS TO DIE, 
HOW I WANTED TO LIVE? (Admitted) YOU REMEM¬ 
BER MY FIRST FURS AND WHAT I SAID ABOUT 
THEM? THE FUN I MADE OF THAT FUR? (Yes, said 
her sister in the body, I do:) “YOU WERE SO GOOD TO 
ME, TRIED TO HELP ME, AND I NEVER KNEW HOW 
MUCH TILL I CAME OVER HERE. THE FIRST THING 
I SAW WAS MOTHER WITH HER ARMS HELD OUT 
SO, SMILING AT ME, AND I SAID TO HER IS THAT 
ALL THERE IS TO IT? (Dying) I WAS SO HAPPY: 


282 


MY Proof of Immortality 


SO GLAD. AND I HAVE HEARD YOU PRAY FOR ME: 
KNOW HOW YOU WORRY OVER WHERE I AM, and I 
want to tell you I would not come back in the old body if I 
could, I am happier far than ever I was.” (All understood, 
and gratefully received) This Sister in spirit then told of mat¬ 
ters confidential, all understood by Mrs. Goldberg as fast as I 
could translate them from spirit to mortal. Two children stepped 
beside this one, a boy with short curly brown hair, wearing a 
sailor blouse, about so high,—and a little Girl, around Six or so. 

These spirits then requested me to rest, and they would go 
on later. We stopped the radio, and spoke of school matters, 
and spirit truths, when the Father who had first presented him¬ 
self returned to my side, and said: “There is a family matter 
I would like to clear up. I want to see a reunion of my family 
left in bodies. When I was in the body I held out against this 
for what I suppose was reasons of my faith, my religion. I want 
to clear up this which is on my conscience now: and I would 
like the children’s help. (All of which was understood) Mrs. 
Goldberg’s Father in spirit then said: “You know how I hated 
talk. How I forbade you to speak—etc. etc. (all understood) 
Well, I remember how I would sit with my book of religion in 
my hands, I always read my prayers and never knelt to say 
these, but you recall how I would clasp my hands while speaking 
of this division in our family and look on High, and say, I 
believed I was right, and would not give in. (Understood, ac¬ 
knowledged by Mrs. G) 

“Now, I have helped this Boy all I could. What would 
have become of him LAST FALL IN THAT POLITICAL 
MESS IF I HAD NOT PULLED HIS FOOT OUT OF 
TPIE MIRE? (Understood by the woman before me) 
(Acknowledged) “But MY PART IS NOT DONE. THIS 
ONE GAVE UP HIS RELIGION AFTER THAT, AND 
I WANT TO SAY HERE NOW THROUGH THIS ONE 
SO KIND AS TO GIVE OUR WORDS TO YOU THAT 
I FIND THE OLD LAWS AND THE OLD ARK PRE¬ 
VAIL HERE. SOLOMON IS WISE FOR US HERE 
STILL. MOSES HEARD THOSE WORDS AND WE 
STILL MUST OBEY THE LAW AS WE FOUND IT IN 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


283 


A BODY. YOU UNDERSTAND? (Yes, I do: said Mrs. 
Goldberg) “I WANT TO UNDO THAT UNCHARITY OF 
MINE, AND I ASK YOU TO BRING THEM HERE, AND 
TO CARRY THIS BY MESSAGE TO THEM ALL, AND 
TO GET TOGETHER ON OUR NEXT HOLIDAY, A 
FAMILY REUNITED, AROUND ONE BOARD AGAIN, 
and those from On High will be there to bless us all. Will 
you help me to undo this, the only thing I found on my con¬ 
science. Here. I do not mean the financial part: that must 
be balanced by each one for themselves, but the moral and the 
spiritual lessons I wish to pass on by forgiveness and reunion, 
will clean my hands where I stand now. For I realize I might 
have advised differently, now. At that time I believed I was 
teaching our faith by upholding those ideas and I was wrong, 
I was wrong. I wish to commend you for the way you held 
your temper after I came out here, I know, I heard you keep 
back what you wished to say: I am here.” (Understood, ac¬ 
knowledged thankfully by both Mother and daughter: and I, 
Sarah Shatford do not know to what this spirit referred, even.) 

The rest of the evening was proof, proof and more proof, 
as the spirit recalled the past, and went into home problems or 
ventures, describing in full each situation referred to by them 
until completely comprehended by them in body before me. 

On this occasion Miss Gertrude received no message. As 
she remarked this, a hand held out before me, for her, one of 
those large paper Valentines in the shape of a heart, having a 
door in the center in which two people were standing. No word 
was spoken. I do not understand, said I to them, what is meant 
by this. “Well, we know,” said Miss Gertrude,—“it was valen¬ 
tine’s day that I met this gentleman Grandma sees me engaged 
to,—but I know nothing about that hope chest she speaks of 
yet,—” 

Please see card attached, which was received by me this 
morning through the mail. “Miss Gertrude Goldberg, Mr. Max 
Barad, Betrothed February, Nineteen Hundred twenty-four.” 

Yet, it is claimed that the “dead” canNOT foresee. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


284 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof: March 8th, 1924. N. Y. C. Sat. P. M. 
GOLDBERG , Gertrude Miss: 

A spirit spoke to me thus: “I am here, and I see the beauti¬ 
ful lining of your fur coat” (to Miss G.) “I RECALL MY 
PLUSH COAT, WHICH I GAVE TO SOME ONE WHO 
NEEDED IT. YOU REMEMBER THE QUILTED SATIN 
LINING, AND HOW I USED TO HOLD IT UP, SO, 
AND SAY, “Why the lining isn’t even broken?” (“I certainly 
do,” said Miss G.) 

The spirit continued: “I WAS THERE THE OTHER 
NIGHT WHEN YOUR FUTURE WAS DISCUSSED IN 
THE DINING ROOM, AND I HEARD MOTHER SAY 
YOU WERE A LUCKY GIRL. (“She did that,” said Miss 
Goldberg) The spirit proceeded: “YOU RECALL ONCE 
IN MY TIME WHEN YOUR MOTHER AND I HAD 
SOME WORDS OVER YOU, AND I WILL NOT GO INTO 
THIS FURTHER, BUT YOU REMEMBER HOW I SAID 
TO MOTHER, “YOU NEED NEVER WORRY ABOUT 
THIS GIRL: SHE WILL TAKE CARE OF HERSELF? 
(Acknowledged, as true) “Well, you have done so, my child. 
How I used to say to you, “Come kiss GAMMA Good-night!” 
While I crochet that white thread, and counted one, two, three, 
four, five? (Yes, I remember all that, said Miss Goldberg) 
Well, I am with you just the same as then. I SEE HOW 
DEAR HE IS: HOW HE TAKES FATHER AND MOTHER 
ALONG, with You. I SEE YOU HAVE STARTED THAT 
HOPE CHEST I TOLD YOU TO START AT CHRISTMAS 
TIME? (All acknowledged true by Miss Goldberg.) You 
sat the other evening wishing you could tell Grandma all about 
it: I was there. I heard you. And you have come to hear 
what Grandma says about him and those other two things in 
your path you wish to settle. I want to help vou. You remember 
the little CAKES I MADE ALWAYS FOR OUR HOLI¬ 
DAYS? (Yes, said Miss Gertrude, I certainly DO) You re¬ 
member the BLACK AND WHITE LAWN DRESSES I AL¬ 
WAYS WORE AND LIKED SO WELL? (I do indeed, said 
the Girl) YOUR FIANCEE IS THE SPIT OF HIS 
FATHER. YOU KNOW I HAD THAT SAYING IN LIFE, 
THE SPIT OF HIS FATHER? (Oh yes, she always said 
that, I can hear her: said Miss G.) 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


285 


This Grandmother then sent a message of proof, family 
affairs, to this Girl’s Mother, understood by this Girl. After 
which this spirit went into all these things in this Girl’s every¬ 
day life, every time she spoke, proved by repeating SOME¬ 
THING THAT HAD HAPPENED RECENTLY, TO HER 
AND HER BETROTHED, PROVING THAT SHE WAS 
PRESENT WITH THEM. AT THE TIME. All is too priv¬ 
ate, as all the best proof always is, to place in print for public 
eyes. It would be vastly unfair to reveal what the dead say 
to theirs of this nature. Thus have I been handicapped always 
by having to obliterate the very things most astounding, complete, 
convincing, all those things, however, which, once given past the 
change of bodies, will make converts ever for the living dead 
themselves. 

How hard they work to prove themselves alive, and more. 
How they treasure their good opportunity, perhaps but one, to 
do so. Only the one listening, and repeating, feeling their feel¬ 
ings, knows. Never is this to be related. Told, past death, all, 
would mean to relieve all lives, as they are able to bring new 
proof, and more proof, ever, as often as permitted to do so by 
the living in bodies. 

This young woman, and Miss Collie Dymock, are but two 
of those Girls who hear from the sainted dead. Grandmothers 
who raised them, as it were. Close companionship, adorable 
memories still, and recalled, as these two young people KNOW 
THEIRS ARE HERE LIVING AND ABLE TO PROVE IT. 
How they laugh, smile, visit WITH THE DEAD, as Dr. Austin 
(B. F.) D. D. Los Angeles, Calif.) said: “Why, it is just like 
visiting with Mother, and father: I feel like I had just dropped 
in to see them, Mrs. Shatford.” 


Evidential Proof: Nov. 28th, 1923. Wednesday. 

Mazie, C. S.: Friend of Mrs. Garrett: 

There is an old gentleman here for you, who bore a crutch, 
had great difficulty sitting or arising, even with its help, 
who says he lived where so many SWEET APPLES WERE 
PICKED, and he shows me, Sarah Shatford, large piles of these 
green apples on the ground. “It was my right leg and side,” said 
this spirit. (Recognized at once.) This spirit then continued: 



286 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“I have heard you wondering if you sat nightly alone with paper 
and pencil if you could develop this power of communion with 
US. I wish to help you by saying, that, you are not in the 
RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR SUCH DEVELOPMENT, 
AND WE CANNOT PROTECT YOU FROM MALICIOUS 
SPIRITS INTRUSION, AND WE ADVISE YOU TO WAIT 
UNTIL THE ATMOSPHERE CLEARS UP BEFORE YOU 
BEGIN THIS TRIAL.” 

“I understand every word of that,” said Mazie. 

There is a spirit here of a woman who says she only need 
to say that she has on that sweater she ALWAYS USED TO 
SHUT TOGETHER WITH HER HAND OVER HER 
CHEST, SO (showing me, Sarah Shatford just how she had 
done this) WHEN I SUFFERED SO WITH THE COLD 
THAT WINTER. This spirit then described herself. And 
was at once recognized as the sister of Mazie. This spirit then 
said: “I SEE YOU READ THAT SOFT LEATHER COV¬ 
ERED BOOK AND CHOOSE OUT WORDS FROM IT 
AND WRITE DOWN THEIR SPIRITUAL MEANING, IN 
THAT ROOM AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. You 
should make a kind of spiritual dictionary of these, and find a 
Publisher.” Admitted true by Mazie, before these present, her 
friends, in bodies. 

Others came before me, and were recognized at once, as 
well as all they brought of the past for Mazie was acknowledged 
by her. After the spirits ceased to speak, this girl said, “l have 
soared in an aeroplane, Mrs. Shatford, ever since we were 
last here, almost lifted above the world with my happiness, 
and you see how I have hung on every word today, it is all so 
wonderful, so true, so lifelike.” 


Evidential Proof: Wed. Nov. 28th, 1923. Day before Thanks¬ 
giving Day. 

Mrs. W. D. Garrett, & Mother, & friend Mazie: 

This A.M. a spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, 'There is 
a Wisner spirit here.” I replied, “I know who you are: you are 
a friend of Mrs. Garretts.” So, when the above parties called, 
unexpectedly, this spirit came right in, and said: “There is one 
here who was short and fat, had brown hair, naturally curly, 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


287 


whose skin you often admired, who used to confide in you, in 
that small room WHERE THERE WAS A COT COVERED 
WITH CRETONNE? WITH A RUFFLE ALL AROUND 
AND DANCE PROGRAMS AND KEEPSAKES hung all over 
the mirror. I was one of three in our house, an old lady lived 
with us, his Mother: in that place where I had DOTTED SWISS 
CURTAINS IN THE KITCHEN WINDOW AND A ROSE 
GERANIUM ON ITS SILL. WHERE I MADE THOSE 
FAT DOUGHNUTS WITHOUT ANY HOLES IN THEM. 
I REMEMBER HOW I KISSED YOUR HAND WHEN 
YOU VISITED ME AT THE HOSPITAL AND WON¬ 
DERED HOW COULD I EVER REPAY YOUR KIND¬ 
NESS TO ME: THIS IS JO.” (All the above was acknowl¬ 
edged as true, and at once recognized) “YOU GAVE ME A 
PURSE WITH ROUND SNAP CLASP, SEE I BROUGHT 
IT TODAY (and this spirit held up before me, Sarah Shatford, 
a purse which I described, and which was recognized as a Christ¬ 
mas gift from the woman to her friend) “You know I used to 
tell you how kind my husband was to my old Father who met 
with an accident? How he went up there to him and furnished 
doctors?” (Recognized and admitted) “Well, I want to 
REACH JIM: HE IS NOT HAPPY: He SITS IN THE 
WINDOW AT HIS DESK IN FRONT OF THOSE 
DOUBLE DOORS, SO: (showing me) and I wish you would 
bring him here so I can help him: will you?” (Understood by 
Mrs. Garrett, who said, Why Jim is her husband. 

This spirit then went into detail regarding conditions sur¬ 
rounding this man in the body who was her husband, all of 
which is too private to write. After this spirit finished, Mrs. 
Garrett said: “That is all understood by me. And it must be 
that she has something to tell him, Jim Wisner, for HE TOLD 
ME THAT AS HE SAT AT HIS DESK AT HIS OFFICE 
JO’S SPIRIT HAD COME AND STOOD BESIDE HIM 
TWICE, and he said he was so frightened his false teeth dropped 
out.” 

(I, Sarah Shatford, never knew any of these people, nor 
saw them, and know nothing about them.) But Mrs. Garrett 
is a Christian Scientist, and I know she is a woman of her word, 
and will gladly verify this testimony, given in front of her 
Mother, and her friend Mazie. 


288 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Mrs . Garrett's Mother: 

A spirit said to this woman, “The one who used to shake 
the rugs for you and throw them over the BACK PICKET 
FENCE AT HOME, WHERE THE SUN-FLOWERS GREW 
ALL ALONG THE FENCE, is here. You remember I used 
to say, It is my turn to shake them? You remember how you 
used to be making biscuit and I would steal up and kiss your 
neck and tickle you? Remember how I used to go out nights 
to my game, and you would call out, “BE BACK BY NINE 
O’CLOCK, FOR I CANT GO TO SLEEP UNTIL YOU 
COME?” “Every word of that is true,” said Mrs. Garrett’s 
Mother. “That is your Father.” This spirit continued: “You 
know we used to bet. And we always paid when we lost. Re¬ 
member how I used to pitch you two dollars and say, “There is 
that pair of gloves I bet you?” “Yes indeed,” said this spirit’s 
wife before me. Continuing the spirit said: “NOW I MAKE 
YOU A PROMISE, I HAVE THAT SMALL BOTTLE OF 
LAUDANUM IN MY HAND WHICH IF THOSE DOC¬ 
TORS HADN’T GIVEN ME I MIGHT BE WITH YOU IN 
BODY NOW.” (All admitted true by both women present, 
and recognized as true.) 

The balance of time was used by this spirit to advise his 
wife in body regarding her affairs, all applicable, comprehended. 
Then the spirit said, “YOU KNOW I SIT BESIDE YOU 
EACH NIGHT FOR YOU SEE ME. SO DON’T WORRY, 
I HAVE NOT GONE YET.” This was admitted, that the 
spirit of her husband comes to her bedside, and she sees him, 
and is comforted by him.” 


Evidential Proof: Nov. 21st, 1923. 

Mazie (C. S.)—friend of Mrs. W. D. Garrett, called with Mrs. 
Garrett. 

A spirit said, “I should like to speak to her,—(pointing to 
Mazie). “I want to tell her that she has no friends where she 
is living, that they are not friendly towards her. She is sur¬ 
rounded by people who are not inclined to understand her.” 
Miss Mazie said, “I do not understand that, exactly,—” 

The same spirit said, (showing me the location of her room) 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


289 


“There, in that room you unlock with your key, in the back, at 
the top of the stairs, where on all sides there are strangers.” 
“That would describe my place exactly,” said Mazie. 

“The same spirit said, “She remembers the biscuits I made, 
large, flat, thin, brown on both sides,—I never pushed mine to¬ 
gether, I wanted them round and thin.” 

“And she was noted for them,” said this Mazie. 

“This is “sis”, “said the spirit. “When I kissed you I put 
my arm around your neck first, my left arm, so—(showing me) 
“You were always so independent, would not come and spend 
the summers,—with us,—You recall how I wept, big, big tears, 
over my affairs, and begged you to help me, and oh, how you 
tried. He is here with me, and we are happy now, I want you 
to write Mother that we are here, and have proved it, and that 
we are together, he and I, and so happy.” (All recognized by 
Mazie) “You know I never broke my promises. Was noted 
for keeping my word. Well, just as sure as I make this promise 
it will be kept. I mean, that you will get that letter, and that 
same offer will be made to you in another way. And I want you 
to accept of it, it seems too good to be true.” (All of which 
was understood, and acknowledged by the sister in the body 
before me. “I’ll step back now, for he wants to speak to you. 
You know I was so short I only came up to his chin? So here 
I am in front of him, and he stands back of me just as tall as 
ever.” (True, said Mazie.) 

A spirit, now, held up a hand, a left hand, on the ring 
finger of which was a ring having an oblong stone, to which 
he called the attention of Mazie, saying she would recognize 
him by this ring which he always wore. (Recognized at once) 
This hand was then described, with the nature of the man who 
was speaking from spirit to his sister-in-law in body before me. 
This spirit then said: “This is the first time I have had a chance 
to thank you for what you did for me. And I say that, because 
of it I was able to stand up here when I came, and have profited 
until now because of those things you taught me. (Acknowl¬ 
edged) “You know you led me and I followed until I reached 
a rock, this I wheeled to a door, and if I had not passed out I 
have heard you say I should have knocked on that door, and 
been able to do so. You are wrong though. It was to be that 


290 


MY Proof of Immortality 


I should not see behind that door. It was to be. Twice, we 
have appeared to you beside your bed. You awoke and said 
you must be dreaming, but we were there, and you were not 
asleep nor dreaming. (That is right, said this woman) 

You know the hickory nuts which grew on my place, and 
the nut cake your sister made out of them, large loaf, big 
slices,—so—? You know how I would chew an old weed in my 
mouth? You know the old express that used to meet you at 
the train? That old wagon? You remember the young girl 
who had curls, used to shake her head, short curls, who was 
always laughing, and could not stand still? Who passed over 
before us? (I certainly DO, said Mazie) Well she is here 
today with us, too. Right here. She asks if you recall how, 
when the wagon left, she would stand in the middle of that 
dusty road, and wave a bunch of daisies at you till you got out 
of sight? (I certainly DO: said Mazie) Well, she says she 
throws you a kiss today like she used to then, from the road.” 

There is a spirit here of a man who used to say: “ANY 
PORT IN A STORM. I just need to say that and she will 
know who I am.” (Recognized at once by this woman in the 

body as father -.”) “I want to say you go straight ahead 

with that proposition, and don’t worry over anything. We have 
not died nor left you yet, and we will never leave you, but help 
you, and tend you, just as you did us.” 

All of which was understood by the woman “Mazie” a Chris- 
tion Scientist. 

The same spirit of the man (brother-in-law) Mazie had 
helped through Science (Christian) in the body, who had given 
her such proof that he lived, and is here, said to her, for me, 
Sarah Shatford, to repeat to her, the following: “YOU HAVE 
WONDERED WHERE YOUR TEACHER FOUND REST 
IN THESE TIMES: THE WOMAN WHO FOUNDED 
YOUR SCIENCE (Christian), YOU HAVE WONDERED 
SINCE WE ARE HERE, IF SHE TOO CAN SEE HER 
WORK TODAY.” (Admitted as true, by Miss Mazie) This 
spirit voice then continued: “THIS WOMAN ROSE ABOVE 
US HERE FOR HER REWARD, THEN WAS SENT BACK 
TO SERVE WITH US HERE, HER HAND FULL OF 
KEYS, SMALL AND LARGE. I SPEAK OF THE WOMAN 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


291 


WITH SNOW WHITE HAIR. YOU UNDERSTAND. 

FOR SHE REFUSED TO OPEN THE DOOR WHERE 
WE MIGHT BE FOUND, AND TOLD ALL HER FOL¬ 
LOWERS THE DEAD COULD NOT SPEAK TO THE 
LIVING, COUNSELLING HERS WHO FOLLOWED 
CHRIST, WHO CAME TO PROVE FOR HIS FATHER 
OTHERWISE THAN THIS, TO BELIEVE IT NOT THAT 
THE DEAD WERE HERE AND ABLE TO SPEAK FOR 
THEMSELVES AS JESUS DID, WHO DIED FOR THIS 
PROOF OF LIFE. 

SHE LOOKS VERY SAD HERE AS SHE GAZES AT 
THE KEYS IN HER HAND, HER LEFT HAND. SHE 
KNOWS NOT WHERE TO FIND THE DOORS TO FIT 
THESE KEYS. ONE SMALL KEY, MORE OF MEDIUM 
SIZE, AND ONE LARGE, LARGE KEY, ARE IN HER 
HAND HERE. SHE IS HIS SERVANT, WITH US, HERE, 
AND A SEARCHER FOR HIS TRUTH. THAT IS ALL.” 

As everything brought by this spirit, this brother-in-law, of 
proof, facts of memory, personality, was recognized by this 
young woman, called MAZIE, a Christian Scientist, we place 
great value on this message, which was answered by this spirit, 
her brother-in-law, whom she helped through Science while in 
his body, AND THIS WAS GIVEN' BY THIS SPIRIT IN 
ANSWER TO MAZIE’S SILENT PLEA THAT HE 
WOULD TELL HER, OF THIS MATTER. 

Note: 

In recording the above testimony from the so-called dead 
I failed to include an assertion of this spirit as follows, and 
was reminded by a spirit’s voice that I had failed to record this: 
“SHE (Mrs. Eddy) REAFFIRMED THAT GOD WAS 
EVERYWHERE: THEN HE WAS AND IS BACK OF 
THAT DOOR SHE CLOSED WITH HER AFFIRMA¬ 
TIONS THAT NONE COULD BE FOUND WHO HAD 
DIED, AND NONE COULD SPEAK WHO HAD DIED, 
AND THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY THAT THE DEAD 
COULD APPEAR OR SPEAK TO THE LIVING.” 

A voice says now, “Yet she called her work “Christian”: 
Science: or, The Science Of God (SPIRIT). Denial never 
obliterated Him Who IS God: neither changed Him in the 


292 MY Proof of Immortality 

least. He IS and WAS Spirit, A Spirit, for all we know who 
live past dying.” 

“She (Mrs. Eddy) denied Him His miracle. Jesus CAME 
to prove FOR His Father, God.” 

“Did our hearts not burn within us when He spoke to us by 
the way?” Paul. 

“For with God ALL things ARE possible.” W. S. In spirit. 
“THE key to HIS Scriptures IS Spirit.” 


Garrett: Mrs. W. D. 

“A spirit of an old gentleman with a beard stood before me, 
Sarah Shatford. He said, ‘I used to sit and twirl my beard, 
so,—while I read or talked,—I loved my books, steel engrav¬ 
ings,—I read with an old green shade over my eyes,—and when 
bothered I used to hold my forehead, so,—and say: let us try 
to think it out, what shall we do. Her husband (pointing to 
Mrs. Garrett) used to look over my books and ask me all sorts 
of questions which I would try to find answers for,— Once, 
but once, I punished him with a whipping: I made him unbutton 
his little breeches himself, and walk up to my knees, and I 
whipped him: I never had to do this again. He told me a story.’ 
This spirit then described himself,—and all was recognized, as 
all he had said. Then this spirit proved by all that was said 
after he had never died. He spoke of the changes of business, 
where his son had worked, and the finances were gone into, 
as all the problems of this business, present and past: all being 
recognized as true by Mrs. Garrett. The balance of this message 
was for his son, and was private, but was so thorough, paternal, 
understanding, there was never a denial, no matter what was said 
it was true, understood, and gratefully received. To be passed 
on to the son who would not believe that the dead could prove 
themselves, or give this father a chance to speak to him alone. 
It was so sad, the effort made by this soul, this father as MUCH 
a father as though he had a body of flesh, that he should select 
the things his son would receive as from him, and the plea he 
made, through the wife of that son present, for an interview, 
after this proof should be carried to his son. 

Another spirit said to Mrs. Garrett: “Tell your Mother, 
Bob, whom I always called “sweetheart,” that I smooth her 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


293 


brow and sit beside her, when she is not sleeping nights now. 
Say to let the little house sale rest for the time being, for I see 
you and she will occupy it for a needed rest, later.” “To prove! 
give this, you know the felt slippers with the seam-on-top in 
middle I wore in the house, always.” (Recognized.) 


Evidential Proof: Mrs. W. D. Garrett, Mrs. Merwin, and Two 

Christian Scientist Practitioners. 

April 1923. 

Mrs. Garrett and her Mother have been here several times, 
always being given remarkable proof from the father in spirit, all 
her Mother’s kin, and Mrs. Garrett’s own personal friends, espe¬ 
cially women friends who prove they are still with Mrs. Garrett. 
One of these, Jo, Mrs. Wisner, talked with Mrs. Garrett as 
though she were beside her in the body. She told how she passed 
out, of Mrs. Garrett’s loving attention at her bedside, the Book 
given her with the leaf turned down , and how she tried to think it 
helped her, (this was Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy). 
She told how she first knew she had cancer. That she had been 
able to show herself to her husband in spirit form twice, and that 
he was able to see her (true), then she said, “Do you remember 
my doughnuts?” Indeed I do, said Mrs. Garrett. Then, this 
spirit told of the conditions in her husband’s home at the present 
time (all recognized as true by Mrs. Garrett) and asked that 
“he” be brought so she might speak to him herself. This was her 
husband should come and give her an opportunity to speak with 
him. This spirit friend spoke of how jealous she was over an¬ 
other girl friend of Mrs. Garrett, “because she could be with you 
more than I could”, (That is so true, said Mrs. Garrett) : she was 
jealous of Maud King.” Much else of equal value came from 
spirit to Mrs. Garrett, and her Mother, which I do not need to 
write down. 

Mrs. Merwin’s Mother in spirit said to her: “I sat by a desk 
piled high with papers, had a pencil behind my ear, all those 
papers had to be corrected: some one would call for you, and I 
would call out, “I don’t know where she is, guess she’s gone 
blackberrying!” “That’s my Mother,” said Mrs. Merwin, at 
once. Then this Mother in spirit described herself: I was tall, 
angular, black hair and eyes, parted hair in center, brought it 



294 


MY Proof of Immortality 


down by ears: wore a stripe dress in summer (showing me the 
pattern of this dress, having black lines in it, and a pattern be¬ 
tween the lines) (recognized by Mrs. Merwin as her Mother’s 
dress, and a perfect description of her Mother, who, after the 
death of the father taught school to bring up her family. She 
gave this daughter, then, a message for the sister with the child, 
so high, and about her plans she would like to speak of to this 
sister in person. All of which was recognized by Mrs. Merwin. 

To the C. S. Practitioner No. 1, the spirit described was of 
a man “who taught you a foreign language, and helped to pick 
out the beautiful passages therefrom, as we sat by a stream: he 
described himself, whiskers to a point, in beard, head, hat, etc. 
how he had a habit of sitting with his book and rubbing his beard 
as he read.” “This was all recognized by this woman as being 
her Professor. That is all true, she said. This spirit then gave 
this woman a message regarding her work, her strife through it, 
her new endeavors, and what would come of them. She wept. I 
asked her, Do you understand this message? She replied, I do, 
perfectly. I did not: but she did. That was all for her. 

To the other C. S. then, a sister in spirit, tall, thin, in black, 
carrying a black silk bag tied with a draw string, I used to carry 
it on my left arm, and You have it now: I had trouble with my 
right foot, was lame. I have never left you. And if I could give 
just one message to you today I would say, You deserve a crown. 
For you have fought every inch of the way. You will win, and 

-you have won. You would be very happy if you 

accept of that offer: I see it would bring great happiness to you. 
“Do you understand?” I asked. “Perfectly, said she: that is 
my sister.” 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: Afternoon, March 4th, 1924. 

MRS. GARRETT & Mother , and “Made". 

Enroute, to Bronx Park and Mount Vernon, I sat on the 
rear seat with Mrs. Garrett’s Mother, and “Mazie”. Nearing home, 
a spirit said to me, “This girl on the right has a sister in spirit 
who wants to say she need not worry over that because she will 
get her share.” (Understood) “She need not hide silk stockings 
much longer, either. The one who must take care of his heart,— 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 295 

I want to say, etc. all of which was acknowledged, and under¬ 
stood. 

Another spirit said, “Mother is here.” I wore a blue veil. I 
wore a lace collar so wide, with round edges. (To Mrs. G’s 
Mother) You remember all those fine potatoes I had planted on 
the place, THOSE EARLY ROSE POTATOES”,—and what 
we did with them. And you remember I had a sick child and 
was told to GET A GOAT, AND THE GOAT’S MILK 
WOULD SAVE THE CHILD? All acknowledged, and at 
once) Well, I want you to go see my only relative, when you 
go back there, the old lady with the wrinkled face, and no teeth. 
She needs you. Now I must say what I do not want you to 
think of doing, for I have heard you think what you will do, and 
you are not to do that,—etc. (Explained, acknowledged, under¬ 
stood : all private matter) 

To Mr. Corse, a spirit said: “He is hoping to close a deal, 
and wonders if he will: “Yes, said Mr. Corse, but WILL I? “If 
you can get him to step across the brook,” said the voice. (Under¬ 
stood) 


Evidential Proof, Nov. 14th, 1923. New York City. 

Mrs. W. D. Garrett, & Mother, and Colored Servant (West 

Indian) : 

A father in spirit stepped forward in a white plaited shirt, 
calling attention to it, and how he had seen his wife present in 
body, take a small cloth and smoothe those plaits out with starch 
water so there would not be a wrinkle in it. This spirit said, 
“that was in the little house where we used to sit in the kitchen 
door and watch those fine chickens. You remember when I 
bought that fine rooster, and you said I paid too much for him, 
and how we enjoyed the new chicks we hatched? You remem¬ 
ber the ASTERS AT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE THAT 
HAD BUGS ON THEM AND I SPRINKLED PARIS 
GREEN ON THEM AND YOU WERE AFRAID SOME¬ 
ONE WOULD GET POISONED FROM IT WHEN THEY 
SMELLED THE FLOWERS LATER? YOU NEEDN’T 
WORRY OVER THE ROOF OF THAT HOUSE AS I 
HEAR YOU DOING FOR THERE IS NO LEAK AROUND 
THE KITCHEN CHIMNEY.” “Did you ever in your life hear 



296 


MY Proof of Immortality 


anything like that,” said Mrs. Garrett’s Mother to her, “every 
word of it is true!” This spirit continued: “SHE KNOWS 
I AM HERE FOR I SPEAK TO HER IN THE NIGHT MY¬ 
SELF. BUT I WILL SAY FURTHER THAT I HAVE ON 
WHITE SOX HERE TODAY AT HOME JUST AS USUAL, 
WEARING THE SOX AND TIES TO MATCH WHEN 
SHE TOOK ME OUT WITH HER. SHE RECALLS MY 
FONDNESS FOR SMALL FRENCH PEAS, AND HOW I 
USED TO PUSH ASIDE THAT FORK AND SAY, GIVE 
ME A SPOON FOR MINE.” “I certainly do,” said his wife 
in flesh before me, Sarah Shatford, hearing this by word of 
mouth, from a man who has “died”. 

This spirit continued: “MOTHER MISSES HER OLD 
FRIENDS, ESPECIALLY THE FAT NEIGHBOR WHO 
LIVED NEXT DOOR ON THE CORNER WHO HAD SUP¬ 
PER WITH US SO OFTEN.” “I certainly DO,” said Mrs. 
Garrett’s Mother. This father of Mrs. Garrett, in spirit, then 
described Mrs. Garrett as a young girl, her clothes, the manner 
of wearing her hair, how he used to hold her on his knee, and 
say, “I don’t want you to go away from home, no matter what 
offers you may have, I can’t spare you.” This was admitted as 
true, and recalled. 

This father in spirit then went into detail regarding the 
sale of this home, out of New York, and, after finishing much 
private and intimate proof that he was with them and knew all 
about their affairs, he said, “ONCE MORE TO PROVE I AM 
HERE MYSELF, I SAY THAT THE HAPPIEST HOME 
WE EVER HAD WAS THE ONE WHERE THE RAIL¬ 
ROAD PASSED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE.’ 
This was admitted exactly as stated, and recognized as true. 

EFFIE: A colored maid entered and left the room. When 
a spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, “Her Father is in spirit, and 
is here with her. Can’t you speak for him and save this girl from 
making the mistake of her life?” Repeated to the Garretts,, as 
stated. The girl was recalled, and after describing himself, and 
his clothes, and his hoe on his shoulder, hat, and his children 
about him, the birds of blue which circle the air where he lived 
in a body, he told this girl how he had stood BESIDE HER AT 
THE POST OFFICE AS SHE MAILED THOSE LETTERS 
CONTAINING MONEY TO HER MOTHER WHO IS ILL. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


29 7 


As this spirit described the City room where this girl lives 
at present, her neighbors, their pastimes, etc., also the small short- 
haired sister in spirit with him today WHO USED TO HELP 
YOU CARRY THE WILLOW CLOTHES BASKET, AND 
ALWAYS HAD HER HAND FULL OF PEPPERMINT 
STICKS, he continued to prove himself, thus: '‘YOU REMEM¬ 
BER HOW I USED TO MEET YOU IN THE ROAD AND 
SEND YOU FOR OYSTERS FOR YOUR MOTHER WHO 
WAS IRONING? “Surely, I do, I do,—said this maid, Effie. 
After which this father in spirit told this daughter in body all 
he had asked to tell her to save her. Continuing this spirit said, 
“I AM HERE MYSELF: I GAVE YOU THAT GOLD 
CHAIN WITH A CROSS ON IT, SO LONG, WHEN YOU 
MADE YOUR COMMUNION AND CARRIED THE 
CANDLE, YOU REMEMBER ?” “I do, and he did, and I have 
it,” said the maid, Effie. A spirit said “ours who was strangled 
to death is here too.” 

“That was my uncle,” said the maid. All of this, and much 
else, was given, and heard, in front of Mrs. Garrett and her 
Mother, all understood at once by a colored maid who opened 
the door, of whom I knew nothing, who was born, as was this 
spirit and his, in the West Indies,—and all was acknowledged as 
fast as I could repeat for the spirit who spoke to me. 

“The one who was for her she refused in her own country.” 

Admitted by the girl as true (refused in her own country, 
now this man belongs to his children). Effie’s father said, “You 
know how I wore a red pocket handkerchief around my neck 
tied in a hard knot in front?” “Yes, I do,” said the maid. 


Evidential Proof: Wednesday, Dec. 26th, 1923. New York City. 
Mrs. W. D. Garrett & two women friends. 

The first spirit to speak was a man who described himself, 
and his ability while in the body, his habits, personality, etc. This 
was an old gentleman, a great reader, he said. He told how he 
settled affairs, and was trusted to do so, how he prized certain 
papers which he carried under his arm, as though in MSS. He 
was recognized. This spirit then gave this woman a symbolic 
message regarding her spiritual work, which was comprehended 
by her. The spirit of a woman, wearing a white apron, who 



298 


MY Proof of Immortality 

used to build houses with blocks, making doors in them, and 
placing the little toy animals in the doors, for the woman in the 
body before us, who was then a child. This spirit described her¬ 
self, and was recognized. After which she gave a material mes¬ 
sage for the woman in the body before us whom she accompa¬ 
nied. There was a small child here in the spirit at the knee of 
this woman, described, and recognized. The material part of 
this message was all given in symbol, but comprehended by the 
one who recognized hers in spirit. 

The woman at the right was then told that a young girl was 
with her, who wore long beautiful curls,—and this little spirit 
told how this woman in the body used to “TIE MY BLUE 
SASH, AND MAKE ME SAY MY SUNDAY SCHOOL 
TEXT, before I went to Sunday School.” This little girl’s spirit 
was recognized at once. Then, a middle aged woman in spirit 
came to my side, and said: “Tell her I am here in MY BLACK 
GROSGRAINED SILK DRESS, HOLDING MY PARASOL 
WITH THE BLACK HANDLE, AND MY BLACK FAN. I 
used to come in so from Church, and walk right out to the 
kitchen to see if everything was going along all right. Tell her 
Mother saw her WHEN SHE WAS IN GRIEF, AS SHE 
WEPT WITH HER HEAD BURIED ON HER ARM, so— 
(showing me, Sarah Shatford) IN THAT DINING ROOM 
WHERE SHE SAT AT THE END OF THAT SQUARE 
TABLE.” “Tell her I was able to put my arm about her and 
say, There now, don’t cry: it will all come out right,—“but that 
I was not able to come close enough for her to hear me, but I 
came to her in the night, and she saw me then and I have heard 
her tell it many times, how she saw her Mother in the night, 
thinking she was dreaming. My daughter will remember how 
I USED TO TAKE A FLAT IRON AND PLACE IT IN 
MY LAP, so—AND CRACK THOSE HICKORY NUTS 
UNTIL I HAD A CUP FULL, WHEN I MADE HER 
FAVORITE CAKE, HICKORY NUT CAKE, for her. She 
knows how I used to love to take my hymn book on Sunday 
evening and sing from it: my hymn book THAT HAD THE 
MUSIC AT THE TOP. I used to HUM THE TUNES, so— 
(showing me, as I heard this spirit hum a tune, with her own 
spirit voice, for this daughter before me, Sarah Shatford) Con¬ 
tinuing, this Mother in spirit said: “Tell her I saw all those 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


299 


keepsakes of mine she had shipped from the old place here: I 
am with her always. Tell her I know she remembers the old 
family Bible IN WHICH I WROTE DOWN ALL THE 
BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN OUR FAMILY. I was so 
broken hearted over a sorrow in our family, she will recall.” All 
of this was recognized, as this woman wept before me, knowing 
that her own Mother was speaking to her though dead. After 
recognition, this spirit Mother gave her daughter the most sacred, 
confidential advice, regarding her life, plans, spoke of parties in 
her life, described her pansy bed at home, the location of it, and 
how she used to water it for her Mother with the old tin water¬ 
ing pot,—told of HER BONNET WITH THE PURPLE 
PANSIES ON IT,—all recognized gratefully by this woman, 
all understood which was referred to by this spirit. 

When the door had closed on these ladies, and I stepped 
back into the hall of my apartment, this spirit said she thanked me 
with her whole heart for my effort in her behalf, and added, “that 
was a Mother's only chance to speak to her daughter!” 

Time had flown, and Mrs. Garrett had to forego a message 
this time, as her friends had taken up all available time. But a 
spirit said to Mrs. Garrett, “There is a spirit here for the one 
who said, “I will go another time, the one who had seen them 
off in the car.” That was Mazie, you know she said that!” they 
all remarked at once. In other words a woman who has been 
here several times with Mrs. Garrett, and who had luncheon 
with those present today, could not come along, but saw them 
off, making this remark, which WAS REPEATED TO ME, 
Sarah Shatford, for them, BY A SPIRIT WHO HEARD IT 
SAID. 


Evidential Proof: Friday, Feb. 29th, 1924. N. Y. C. 

“Matilda,” —Mrs. Garrett’s Cook (Colored). 

Placing a plate, taking a package, this woman said to me, 
Sarah Shatford,—in the presence of Mrs. Garrett’s Mother, this 
afternoon,—“Madam, they tell me you are in touch with those in 
the Fatherland. I have prayed so hard that you would come 
back here again, and that I could hear from my LITTLE GIRL 
who is over there. I tell you I have never prayed so in my life. 
It would be such a comfort to me, if I could just know.” “If you 



300 


MY Proof of Immortality 


have time, and can take time now, I will be glad to help in the 
answer of that prayer. What is your name?” “Matilda,” said 
this fine, old-time servitor. 

A Mother you have in the spirit, who says she comes first, 
and that your Father is with her today here. This Mother shows 
me herself, on the mirror of my brain, so that I can describe 
her to you. She is tall and spare. She wears a gray calico dress, 
with a black pattern, and a tignon around her head. She says: 
“Sometimes I pinned the point down, but sometimes I didn’t, 
but I tied it in a hard knot in the back.” This spirit wished me 
to describe her hands. She showed me very long fingers: how 
she kept her nails, the habit she had of holding her knife, so, so, 
(showing me that she doubled up her hand when she cleaned 
those nails.) 

“I baked up barrels of flour,” said she. “I used to scoop it 
up with a tin scoop: I never had to wash and iron, that was not 
my part.” “She used to tease me for pennies for THAT BLACK 
STICK LICORICE. THAT WAS DOWN SOUTH, HOME, 
I CALL IT, WHERE THE BACK PORCH WAS BUILT ON 
THE GROUND, AND THE MORNING GLORIES WERE 
TWINED UP THE POSTS: THAT WAS WHERE THE 
WASHING WAS DONE: WHERE SHE SAT WITH HER 
SLATE MAKING FIGURES: WHERE THE BIG TIN 
WASH BOILER WAS OUT IN THE YARD. MY SON, 
HER BROTHER, IS WITH ME, AND MY TWO SMALL 
CHILDREN, ARE HERE TOO. I USED TO WEAR MY 
BLACK MITTS, LACE, TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS. I 
USED TO CLASP MY HANDS SO, AND LOOK UP TO 
GOD’S HEAVEN, SO, (Showing me, just how, she had done 
this) AND USED TO SAY: “IF GOD SENDS ME THAT 
I AM GOING TO BEAR IT, BECAUSE IT IS HIS WILL.” 
“That is every word His Own truth”, said “Matilda”: that is my 
Mother!” This spirit continued, “Well, I want to say, that I 
STOOD THERE BESIDE MY OLD BODY, AND HEARD 
THE FOLKS TALK ABOUT MY REMAINS, WHAT WAS 
LEFT OF ME. AND I HEARD THEM SAY, “CLASP 
THOSE HANDS, JUST LIKE SHE USED TO WHEN SHE 
LOOKED UP TO GOD.” 

“That is the blessed truth as I’m livin’,” said Matilda. “That 
is just what we did.” The spirit kept on: “I never left here at 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


301 


all. I’ve never seen God yet. But I’m still tryin’ to be worthy to 
BE HIS CHILD. I HAVE CREPT UP BESIDE YOUR 
BED, TOUCHED YOU ON THE SHOULDER, OVER AND 
OVER AGAIN. ONCE, WHEN I WANTED YOU TO GET 
OUT OF THAT PLACE WHERE THEY USED YOU SO 
CRUEL, I CAME JUST SO, IN THE EARLY MORNIN’, 
AND I SAID TO YOU, GET OUT OF THIS PLACE, 
HURRY CHILD.” “She did so,” said Matilda. The spirit said, 
“We want you to go home. We see you want to go. We will 
be glad to go BACK THERE WHERE THE RICE IS,—and 
the melons, and you lived with us. I HEARD THAT ONE, 
AFTER MY FUNERAL BILLS WERE DISCUSSED, 
AFTER MY FUNERAL, SAY, “I WILL TAKE CARE OF 
THAT, I WILL SEE THAT IS PAID. AND HE RAISED HIS 
HAND UP SO, WHEN HE SAID IT. YOU THANK HIM 
FOR ME. HE KEPT HIS WORD. I’m here to watch over 
you yet, and you will be better off when you use that straw suit 
case and go back home. The man, the black man, who was al¬ 
ways homesick, well he went back to Georgia, and he is there. 
He is quite well off, has never left there since.” 

“There is a spirit here of a young woman who used to sit by 
the window and hold up her left hand, looking at the nails, and 
pick at them, as she worried so she nearly lost her mind, over a 
man, injustice. I USED TO MAKE THAT GUMBO AND 
RICE: A PINCH OF THIS AND A PINCH OF THAT, SO, 
—SO,—NOTED FOR IT, AND MY LINEN I IRONED? 
THOSE LARGE NAPKINS FOR THAT BANQUET 
TABLE, WHERE THEY SAT AT THAT LONG SQUARE 
ENDED TABLE, AND CLINKED THEIR GLASSES, SO,— 
I WORE A DIAMOND RING ON MY MARRIAGE FIN¬ 
GER, AND USED TO SIT AND TURN IT, WATCH IT SPAR¬ 
KLE, HOW I LOVED THAT RING. YOU USED TO SAY TO 
ME, “Honey, what worries you so, tell Mother. And I used to 
say to you, “Oh Shaw! I’m going to forget him. And we used 
to be Pals, you and I, walked out arm in arm, always. I wanted 
to TAKE THE VEIL AND BECOME A NUN, you remem¬ 
ber?” “I certainly do, all that is true, every word you have said 
here today is true,” said Matilda, in the presence of Mrs. Gar¬ 
rett’s Mother. This spirit then gave her name, Clee,—and said: 
“I WAS BURIED IN A LAVENDER CASKET.” “She was 


302 


MY Proof of Immortality 


indeed,” said her Mother. “I lost my baby, and I wanted to go 
where it was. I am happier than I ever was with him: and if I 
could come back and have my choice, I would stay here with 
my child. He was not even honest.” You certainly said the 
truth, he was not,” said this spirit’s Mother to whom I was trans¬ 
lating her message, never having seen or heard of her before. 

This daughter in spirit then continued: "That man kept at 
that little bit of money, taking this off, and taking that off, until 
you had none left. Never mind, he must pay for all that here. 
I’ve BEEN TO SEE YOU, AND KNEW YOU GRIEVED 
SO YOU COULDN’T WORK. NOW I WANT TO AN¬ 
SWER THAT IN YOUR MIND YOU ARE WORRYING 
ABOUT. I AM ONLY HAPPY IF YOU ARE HAPPY. IF 
I AM WITH YOUR MOTHER HERE, AND WE ARE ALL 
TOGETHER, YOU KNOW I NEVER SUFFERED FOR 
ANYTHING I DID, DON’T YOU? WE, ARE ALL HERE 
TOGETHER. BUT I WANT TO SAY I WOULD NEVER 
DO THAT AGAIN IF I COULD DO MY LIFE OVER 
AGAIN. THE CHANCE YOU HAVE HAD? THAT 
MAN’S IDEA OF BUSINESS FOR YOU, YOU THROW 
THAT DOWN. TELL HIM NIX. YOU ARE THROUGH 
WITH THAT FOREVER. AND YOU GO SOMETIMES 
AND PAY FOR A MESSAGE FROM US SO WE CAN 
HELP YOU, TELL YOU WHAT TO DO.” 

All of which was acknowledged, and more not here written 
down. After the voice ceased, this grateful negress said, “I will 
never be able to thank you, madam: I AM SO MUCH HAP¬ 
PIER, OH MY HEART IS SATISFIED: those are my own 
people, that is my daughter, and all those were mine.” 


Griffin (Mrs.) Psychic 

Sister of Mrs. Elliott. A medium “who gets things”. Also 
moves tables: “they walk around the room for me,” she says. 
The first sitting (of four) this woman received several messages, 
her husband was described, also a man in a blue uniform. Bob 
was one of these names. The spirit told that he knew all about 
this before he came over to spirit. They laughed. They were 
all strangers to me. He was a jolly spirit, kept up the funmak- 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


303 


ing, then spoke of her moving and not to break up, he lived at 
the old place still. (This was No. 1.) 

No. 2. A sitting alone. 

There was great disturbance, I heard names called and 
spirits speaking, but could not get in touch with any one spirit. 
Finally a Big Chief was described with the feathers down his 
back, a big leather pouch beaded at his side, a bow and arrow. 
He says Me Boss’s Big Chief. Me speak first. Me take Boss 
out. Me give push. Me give raps. Me like Boys choice: she 
good papoose. Me no like new house. Me take you back, etc etc.” 
This was the guide of her husband wlio was a medium for years, 
knew this Indian well (Big Chief from Medicine Hat) he gave 
me this name. Then her husband spoke, came in an "overcoat 
with a fur collar, lined with velvet.” Not quite, said the sitter. 
The spirit stuck to it. Yes that was right he said. 

This was the most interesting sitting, full of proof and per¬ 
sonality: all his slang phrases were used, his fun-terms,—He 
described a clock which struck, opposite the hall door, it met you 
as you entered, (true) he described the chair he occupied and 
still occupied he said, near the smoking things (right) He gave 
advice understood, spoke of his Boy who had served in the Army 
over seas, his luck in being gassed and recovering to come home, 
his choice of a bride, his profession (Actor) his Contracts, and 
so much more that I cannot write it down. The whole sitting 
was evidential, she laughed much as she would were he in the 
body and visiting with her, as I did myself. 

Carl Griffin: Son of the above: 

His Soldier mates on the Marne proved their identity: called 
their names: one going so far as to mention "Lizette”, and the 
peasant girl in a plaid dress. Denied, he stuck to it until he took 
him back to Paris and told of "Lizette” with the roses in her 
hair. Budd, this spirit’s name. The wind which felled their 
tents when their were encamped by the mountain side was de¬ 
scribed : the barn to which they had set the torch, its cooties and 
the smoke that came from its roof,—the foaming steeds, the dif¬ 
ferent wounds, the hospital, the pastimes and their locations, their 
rank and regiments,—some referred to the spirit world as being 
barren and wished they had had his luck to come home. Others 
did not speak of the spirit but recalled life as it had been to them 


304 


MY Proof of Immortality 


when they were together in the body. His Contracts were de¬ 
scribed and he was told he was going to Boston (All the above 
true and recognized by this Soldier Actor) 

“Merode” actress: 

Owing to the above work of mine for the family, Mrs. 
Griffin came to me Sunday while at dinner and asked as a favor 
that I come down stairs after dinner to her sister’s room. There 
I found “Merode” a young woman, and the family at dinner. 
They wished me to give this girl a message. All were present, 
and as the meal continued to be served I spoke for her father in 
spirit, who described himself as an Artist who had played the 
cello and flute. Told that she used the bow (violin, true) told 
how her education had been managed, how he walked with his 
left hand in his long buttoned black coat with his head bowed 
while she occupied a place on his right arm, while they talked 
over his fears for her health, and worry over her fingering tech¬ 
nique. Her education had been finished by small sums being 
placed together. The Mother and her sister were described, their 
home, vocation (dressmaking) the changes which had taken 
place there—out and west of New York. Told how she longed 
for a gem: but to consider the gem from the heart which had 
been given her and know this was the binding circle after all 
which was binding. 


Evidential Proof: Sat. Jan. 5th, 1924. 

HAUSCHILD: Miss Louise. 

As Miss Hauschild has been communicating with hers in 
spirit for the last four years, through my hearing and describing 

for them, I will only add that today Miss H-was speaking 

to her own “dead” from One until Five o’clock, and they de¬ 
scribed her home and the cake on the table at New Year’s party, 
how the glasses were raised in toast given in German, as when 
they were in the body who spoke now in spirit,—while her 
(stepfather) told of a lost package at the Schilling Press, 
and what had become of it,—walked through this Press Room, 
and described the different parts of the business, advising on 
same, all understood at once, as reference was quickly made of 
different parties, payments, taxes, etc., etc. Each spirit proved 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


305 


themselves present by personalities descriptive of themselves, 
which only the dead could give. At last a spirit said, “There is 
a woman here who liked the old fashioned black stick licorice.” 
And she held up before me a stick of this same. This spirit then 
went into a daughter’s problem, solving it as she would solve it 
for her, in detail describing a person, where this one was located, 
etc. Then this spirit said, “I am Josie’s Ma.” “I always called 

her ‘Jo.’ ” All of which was recognized by Miss H-as for her 

friend who lives with Miss H-- in New Jersey. 

I asked Miss Hauschild, “Is it true?” 

“It is, ves.” 

Did they wait to see IF SPIRITS KNEW WHAT WAS 
GOING ON? If so, I register this here for those who do not 
believe in spirits, or that the dead ARE here, and know every¬ 
thing that is transpiring. 


Evidential Proof: March 1st, 1924. 

HAUSCHILD Louise Miss: 

A spirit voice said: “There is a Mother here who wore a 
silk dress which had puffed stripes on the sleeves: she wore 
crepe ruching at the sleeves. I used to sit and twirl a lock of 
hair on my forehead, so, as I talked: a ‘Della Fox’ curl. And I 
used to sit at the dining room table on that side of the table, and, 
as we spoke I often placed my hand on top of that tall, round- 
top, FROSTED, sugarbowl, so high, with the FROSTING 
UNDER THE GLASS, IT WAS SMOOTH ON TOP.” This 
spirit then showed me, Sarah Shatford, this sugar-bowl, and her 
hand, which had short fingers, a small hand. Continuing, this 
spirit said: “This is the*way I saved my money (and she held 
up in her spirit hand a twenty dollar gold piece, before me) : 
I wore buttoned shoes: had a long handled buttonhook: I used 
to say to your Father, “Don’t always pull at the siame side of 
your mustache, pull the other side for a change.” I used to say to 
him, “Did vou get that out of THAT BOOK? For he was 
always reading ONE BOOK AND QUOTING FROM THAT 
ONE. I USED A SQUARE PIECE OF BEESWAX FOR 
MY THREAD. I STOOD AT HOME THE OTHER DAY 
WHEN THE TABLE WAS BEING SET, AND I HEARD 
THE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE GLASSES, AND I 



306 


MY Proof of Immortality 


HEARD THAT SHORT GIRL SAY, “WHAT IS THE DIF¬ 
FERENCE ANYHOW? I was right there. I was there, too, 
when you three Girls said you were not eaters, and the one said 
SHE WAS PULLED DOWN IN THE FACE, and you 
laughed so at this, THAT THE SMALL GIRL, WHO HELD 
A TUREEN IN HER HAND NEARLY DROPPED IT. I 
was there, I saw you, and heard it. I saw you when you used 
the electric vibrator ON THE GIRL ON THE FLOOR. I 
WANT TO SAY THAT YOUR BROTHER WOULD GET 
THAT POSITION IF HE WOULD STICK TO THE TRAIL 
HE IS NOW FOLLOWING: HE HAS SUCH FINE REF¬ 
ERENCES.” 

“I USED TO CALL HER MY BABY, EVEN WHEN 
SHE WAS GROWN.” This Mother in spirit then conversed 
with this daughter, just as she would in the body, going into all 
her private financial matters, papers, business, outlook, home- 
life, etc. All private, and of importance to this daughter in the 
body. All the above quickly acknowledged by Miss Hauschild, 
as true. 

“There is a man here who used to hear you sing, Do-Ra-Me 
Fa. My violin squeeked at times, and I played minor notes to 
tease your Mother. She liked HOME SWEET HOME. I 
liked The Barber. You recall how I had to have that crease in 
those trousers, and ironed them myself, WITH A PIECE OF 
YELLOW MUSLIN, HOLDING THE IRON SO (showing 
me how) to see if it were too hot? I used to say “NO KID¬ 
DING”. MY FAVORITE DESSERT WAS APPLE DUM¬ 
PLINGS. HOME MADE. I MADE YOU KEEP TIME. 
THAT PART OF YOUR MUSIC YOU LEARNED FROM 
ME.” “Your Grandmother who used to make them shake down 
the quart measure and then add a hand full, she is here today 
with us. The one who smiled and made others smile. Always 

jolly. Well, I want to speak today of-. (All of which 

was understood, acknowledged true, and gratefully received by 
Miss H.) 

In fact, for over three hours, the “dead” talked, visited, 
advised with, the “living”, by repeating to me their proof of 
memories of the past, sayings, personalities,—each time these 
spirits changed the subject they gave new proof as to the one 
speaking, if Mother or Father,—Then the Mother of Miss H’s 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


30 7 


friend, proved herself, sent messages to her daughter, in New 
Jersey, conversed about the most sacred and private affairs, 
showing she knows all transpiring with her own child, she called 
“Jo” (Josephine, Josie). 

“Be sure that I am here, go home with you, and know all 
that is transpiring. To prove this is Mother, 1 say I often wore 
A SMALL BAR PIN HAVING TWO LINKED HEARTS 
ON IT. AND MY HAIR CURLED IN THE NAPE OF MY 
NECK SO THAT EACH HAIR WAS A CORKSCREW 

CURL.” “That is right/’ said Miss H-, “and I remember 

that pin of Mother’s very well.” 


HAUSCHILD: Miss Louise. 

Miss Louise Hauschild, who accompanied me to Los An¬ 
geles, has kept a record of her own, of the proof hers in spirit 
furnished to her, each day, almost each hour, of each day, for 
three months, while we were stopping together in the different 
Hotels, traveling on trains, by boats, etc. Each time they re¬ 
called new proof, and this list is too long for publication, very 
intimate in nature, all found true and recognized by this fine 
woman,' who will furnish same. 

It is so vast I cannot recall it. These spirits, Mother, Father, 
Cousin, Grandparent,—brought this Girl to California to regain 
her health after a Surgeon had told her she could not live, that 
she had gall-stones, and must be operated on, at once. Her own 
Mother, to me, Sarah Shatford, spoke as follows from spirit. 
“She has NOT gall-stones.” After this, my own sister, Belle, in 
spirit, said: “Sade, morgue: if she is operated on.” Showing 
me a dead body, with the sheets covering it all. As I told this to 

Miss H-, requesting her to verify this through others, and 

then to come along to California, as these spirits advised, we 
took upon “our” shoulders, saving this girl’s life. But I knew 
she would BE saved if she came. This was done. Two of 
New York’s best Mediums, in public life, who did not know her 
or anything here recorded, told her all I have set down. We 
left together, Mother’s Day, were led by the “dead”, told what 
to do, followed what was told, in faith, with prayer, and returned 

together, Miss H- a well woman, after three months on the 

Coast, since which she has never been ailing. 




308 


MY Proof of Immortality 


The above is the very least I can do personally to record, 
for the “dead”, what they have done, can do, in “healing” the 
sick, treating the maladies of bodies. Surely Miss Hauschild, 
knowing a miracle was performed, through her own, in spirit, 
as well as through my own, with God’s help, will be glad to 
append her signature to this statement. 

Her own never left her while we were gone. Reported, 
ever and ever, kept us in tune with fun-making, though “dead”, 
as all think them, until this woman said, she did not see how 
they could find anything more to recall. 

It is the same with my very own, in spirit, who live with 
me, speak to me hourly, prove to me every time they do speak 
that they are themselves by calling names none knew but our 
family, and all the past, of their own, as well as my own. There 
are no “dead”. The dead live, live here: are with us: can hear 
us, and be heard by us: are not buried: await no resurrection: 
have not “gone on”,—not at all. AND THEY ARE HUMAN 
TOO. In fact, the dead are just themselves. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


Healy (Mrs.) Widow: Her sister Josephine from Brooklyn: 

This sister joked regarding the spirits. Did not believe it 
could be. Thought a medium was a crazy person, a spirit who 
spoke only to an evil spirit. Both these good Catholic women. 
Mrs. Healy has had many sittings, sees her own, speaks to her 
Mother in spirit: is guided by her in fact. But this sister will not 
believe her own sister. So she was brought to me. 

Their Mother described their home on Ireland: miles of it: 
the schoolhouse, the spinet for the sheep, the brook, where lo¬ 
cated, the sheep and shearing of same: their mode of life: their 
clothes while on this farm: the bed of coals, the three-legged 
pot, its tin cover, what they cooked therein. Then she told this 
daughter all about her family, what they cooked, what they said, 
what they did, until the woman was wild-eyed for fear some 
secrets would be divulged next. Nothing but what was true: all 
present called their names,—she was told how much she had in 
bank, where, described the stairs and door of her new quarters. 

Knowing that I did not know, that her own Sister did not 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


309 


know these things, she was convinced that her own Mother was 
there. “Sure, there’s something in it,” said this good Irish woman 
with the round full brogue. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: March 16th. 1922. New York City. 
Mrs. Kate Morris Healy. 

New York. 

Mrs. Healy has spoken to hers in spirit for a half dozen 
years. She speaks to her Mother in spirit at night through 
dreams, and has seen spirits clairvoyantly, on two occasions, when 
she tells me they were as human like as mortals themselves. 
She is a good Catholic, follows her religion, and comes here to 
visit with her Mother, Husband, Children, and all her Irish rela¬ 
tions, in spirit, when they speak to her as though they were in 
the body, recall all Ireland, are funmaking, describe all the 
family history, traits, habits, etc. When these come in to see me 
without Mrs. Healy they report to me as “County Clare.” 

This was to be the last speaking time for her through me 
from hers in spirit. She was told this before we began. As I 
am very weary from compiling, and copying, the spirits tell me 
I must cease giving to those who have had years of proof, and 
to regard the matter of spirit return and proof as closed for 
these. All others have been treated the same as Mrs. Healy, so 
she cannot feel slighted at all. 

First, this Mother said: “There is one here who used to 
wear “spit curls” all around her face. (Showing me how she 
made them, and they were called by that name exactly) “That is 
my Mother,” said Mrs. Healy. But this spirit Mother went on 
and on, giving this last full measure of proof, descriptions of 
her lands in Ireland, helpers, how she managed her Farm after 
her husband died,—the quantities of blackberry jam this one 
(Kate herself) used to make,—and all was, as ever, recognized 
as facts by the sitter. 

Then, the Mother in spirit said: “When my stock wanted 
a drink they watered themselves, wading into the stream on my 
Farm, and drinking as often as they liked.” (True, said Kate) 
Now, this was what she was to do in future: Her own Mother 
would supply her as before I came into this one’s path, and she 



310 


MY Proof of Immortality 


would keep her where she was at present, (giving the reasons 
why she had been given such a position) until she “took her by 
the hand, at night in her dream, and showed her the waves roll¬ 
ing in on the shore”, when she was to come along, and change 
places. (Give this to the psychoanalysis Doctors, those eminent 
ones who solve dreams as dream-states,—sic—) (Here’s to 
Freud and his)—This spirit then called the names of those with 
her this night in spirit to comfort this widow, Kate Healy. They 
took me to the Doctor’s door, with the sign in the window, from 
which she came to my hotel, gave her advice regarding this same 
and his medicine and her health and her worries, and all that 
makes spirit communion in private a sacred and holy miracle, 
which is not to be written, never is, or never can be written. 
“Jerry is here with the children,” said this spirit Mother. (Hers) 
After which this one, the father of her children in spirit, spoke 
of his own affairs, proved himself, as he has done over and over 
for years, but bringing something different, a new proof, each 
time, as all spirits must to have evidential value. This, my own 
spirits demand, ever, and will give no message to any seeker 
until theirs have given enough of proof to be recognized. If 
there is a doubt in the mind of the sitter, they (their spirits) 
give proof both before and after their messages. 

This closes a proof of great value for a good Catholic. Ac¬ 
companied by Kate I went to mass at the 82nd St. Amsterdam 
Ave. Church, where an usher followed me to the seat and as I 
was kneeling he asked me, “Have you paid for your seat?” 
When I left the church, before service. After which Kate spoke 
to the Priest, who said, “if your friend is an intelligent woman 
she will not think of this but as the act of an ignorant boy,” 
I mention it here, as I have given this good Catholic woman 
what money cannot buy for her during Six years, never having 
been paid by anyone a single penny for my hours of time, wear¬ 
ing old shoes and shabby raiment, that I might close these books 
as one medium whose class despised by Priests for collecting 
from their clients enough for food and clothes, for their trans¬ 
mission of FACTS FROM SPIRITS, which priests cannot give, 
which is reviled of them, as they butcher all mediums, which 
includes Joan of Arc. 


Sarah T. Shatford. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


311 


Evidential Proof: New York City, Feb. 22nd, 1922. 

HARRIS, D. P., Mr. 

The first communion given to Mr. Harris was in California. 

Tonight, the first spirit to make themselves known, to de¬ 
scribe themselves, was a lady who passed into spirit in young 
Motherhood. She came with a young baby in her arms, de¬ 
scribed also, while the small children (several) in spirit were 
also described, and Frederick called. (The name of one) She 
described herself, dwelt on her hair, told how she had a cake 
breast which gave her great pain, and they raised this baby on 
a bottle because of it. She spoke of the numerous rings she 
owned, and said 16. (That’s right, said Mr. Harris, she had 
just that number of rings) She told him on what occasions she 
had accompanied him to the theatre, and described his companion 
at those times (acknowledged) Then, this wife of Mr. Harris 
in spirit, went into their family affairs, proving she was not dead, 
knows all that is transpiring with her children here in the body. 
These things, so evidential to Mr. Harris I will not record here. 

Mr. Harris’ Mother in spirit was next to say “Do you re¬ 
member how red my face used to get when I became excited?” 
And his Father said “there’s the whistle of the train?” (Bringing 
this son home (Nova Scotia) for the summer vacation each year. 
And this Mother in spirit described herself, her hair, the mode 
of wearing it, her flesh, and her suffering with her limbs from 
the waist down, and how she used to sit on the veranda with 
a palm leaf fan,—all her clothes from her buttoned shoes, and 
unbleached hose by the box, which came in a green box, her 
bonnet, and said he, Mr. Harris, brought them all from New 
York, to me. She told how she used to stand back of him and 
rub that creamy liquid on his head, from a square bottle,—(Yes, 
said Mr. Harris) “Who cooked the boiled fowl, and who said 
Why cannot I get this anywhere but home?—YES, said Mr. 
Harris,—and this Mother in spirit then said, “I always said you 
were always my boy: you never failed to kiss me good-night, 
even to the last,—(True) said Mr. Harris. The Mother of Mr. 
Harris went on, “I am there with you in that room where the 
colored spread is on your bed and the colored small light is at the 
head, and I often kiss you and rub your head, but you cannot see 
me.” (This describes the conditions in the New York Athletic 
Club room occupied by Mr. Harris.) (Recognized as true.) 


312 


MY Proof of Immortality 


She then broke down and wept, as she said “Father is here, 
and wants to come next. An old gentleman was described then, 
his hats, and he said: “Do you remember how 1 used to saw 
wood with that old square saw?” Mr. Harris laughed and said, 
You bet I do. That’s Father. This Father then said: “But I 
wouldn’t carry it in!” That’s right too said Mr. Harris: He 
never would carry it in. “Stove length,” said this spirit. Yes, 
said his son. “Do you recall the time I had to dig that gutter for 
the rain to drain the yard, when the eaves got stopped up?” (Yes, 
indeed I do, said Mr. Harris.) 

“You will see if I can use my spy-glasses still.” He always 
carried spy glasses on his travels. This same spirit then said: 
“You surely remember who liked hard-boiled eggs, and used to eat 
them with lettuce leaves just so (showing me) Nobody could 
make salad for me!” (Absolutely correct, said Mr. Harris) 
Then, this father gave the intimate messages of finance, business, 
showed he knew just what was going on even in Nova Scotia still, 
for he said: “They haven’t spread the manure yet, and they bet¬ 
ter get busy with the plowing, for you will have lots to eat that 
sweet-corn this year!” 

While giving a financial message, the spirit said: “You re¬ 
member how glad I was when the thrashing was over every time, 
and used to say: Thank the Lord that’s done, and the men all 
paid off? “Yes, said his son. I do.” Well, I want you to pay 
everyone off and retire, etc. and say Thank the Lord.” Which was 
understood. Spirit said, “I always said I was not old, and that I 
was a gentleman farmer.” True, said his son. 

This spirit said, Mother’s other two are with her here, your 
sister and brothers two—(acknowledged) and MY brother is 
with me, the one I disagreed with, and your Mother wanted me 
to go into business alone. (Understood) Also, that he had found 
his father in spirit. There was more I need not recall. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: 

HARRIS , D. P. 

Mr. Harris’ Father in spirit, before givinghim a third interview, 
said: “DO YOU KNOW I USED TO CARRY MY BINOC¬ 
ULARS UNDER MY ARM, WHICH YOU BROUGHT ME 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


313 


FROM ACROSS THE SEA, AND I WOULD NEVER USE 
THE STRAP ?” “You bet I do,” said Mr. Harris to his own 
Father who is alive after death, and was able to prove it with 
one sentence. 

This Father then described the Hotel in San Francisco, the 
room his son had occupied, the bed, its position, ITS GREEN 
LIGHT OVER THE BED, “WHERE YOU USED TO 
SPREAD YOUR BATHROBE OVER THE FOOT AT 
NIGHT.” “Yes,—Yes,” said Mr. Harris. That is right: I have 
just come from San Francisco, and that is all true.” This Father 
then told him of orders given this son’s Firm by all Firms on this 
trip to the Coast, PROVING THAT HE, this spirit Father, 
WENT ALONG WITH THIS SON, AND WAS NOT 
DEAD. “That is all true,” said Mr. Harris. That is just what hap¬ 
pened, all right.” “And those glasses I BROUGHT HIM FROM 
GERMANY, AND HE REFUSED TO WEAR THE SHOUL¬ 
DER STRAP, but carried them as he described, under his arm. 
This Father in spirit then described THE NEW MONUMENT 
AT HIS GRAVE IN NOVA SCOTIA, the SQUARE, GRAY 
GRANITE, WITH A WREATH ON IT, and the little white 
fence around the plot, the sizes thereof. All exactly, said Mr. 
Harris. 

As I was giving this evidence, two Toledo girls were here 
present, Miss Baumgardner, and Miss Dorothy Sawyer. I went 
into detail to them regarding the first time this father in spirit 
had spoken to this son, telling him about an emery-wheel he 
wished him while in the body to invent to sharpen the wood-cut¬ 
ter’s saws. This had been a hobby of the old gentleman’s, it 
seems. As his son was an inventor, he wished to help the for¬ 
esters. This spirit brought this all in the first time he came to 
speak through my hearing to this son. When I had finished re¬ 
lating these things, this father in spirit having heard me all the 
time, of course, said to me, just as plain as I could utter it now 
with my own lips, “WHY, HE KNOWS I AM HERE, HE IS 
JUST AS SURE OF IT, AS YOU ARE!” “That is right,” 
said Mr. Harris: “but do you know, I have never told a single 
person of this wonderful thing? I have never mentioned it to 
anyone. Because no one would believe it.” 


314 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof. New York City. 

Hurlburt, Mr. W. H. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt have had a number of visits 
with theirs in spirit. It would seem beyond doubt for anyone, 
who could have heard this evening’s work. 

“There is a spirit here who wore a smooth gray suit, with 
gray buttons. He had a way of twirling a coat button while he 
spoke, a habit of his. I called him Bill. This is Charlie.” This 
spirit was recognized by Mr. Hurlburt. The spirit then described 
the trips these two men had made to Cleveland. Described his 
home in Warren, Ohio, his wife, and the room she sat in, and 
what SHE HAD SAID REGARDING THE DEAD BEING 
ALIVE—AS HE, A SPIRIT, STOOD BY AND HEARD 
WHAT WAS SAID. And this was what was said by the spirit : 
“My wife said she was very well satisfied with her religion.” 
He then added: “Don’t it beat hell ?” This was recognized, all 
of it, as true. This spirit friend then went into detail regarding 
the Firm and business of which Mr. Hurlburt is the President, 
showing he knew all that was going on, all contemplated, all owed 
the firm, why Mr. Hurlburt was here, and regarding these debts, 
with the chance of collection. All the new inventions of the 
Company were discussed with his friend in body, the buildings 
on the plant and its grounds described, the new steel orders, 
etc. etc. everything of import regarding business, money, loans, 
etc. The spirit then said: “Once more, to prove I am here my¬ 
self, you will recall giving me a Box of Handkerchiefs.” (True, 
and recognized.) 

Mr. Hurlburt’s Mother in spirit then presented herself, and 
as she did so, she was making “spit-curls, on her forehead, and 
said, “You know we used to make quince juice to hold them in 
place?” This Mother then asked him to go to Buffalo, to 
HURON STREET, TO THE LITTLE HOUSE WITH THE 
FRONT PORCH WITH A VINE ON IT, where they had 
spent so many happy hours when the boys were small,—just 
for old time’s sake.” (Recognized, and acknowledged true) 
This Mother in spirit then said, “I want to make sure tonight 
that you know me here, I have heard all the discussions at home.” 
(Acknowledged true) She then said: “Do you remember what 
we kept under the counter in the Hotel Office ? FITZGERALD, 
she called (that was our clerk, said Mr. H.) Yes, I do recall, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


315 


said Mr. H. “Remember when we fastened the doors, put down 
the shades and laid our stair and hall carpet at the Hotel ?” Yes, 
said Mr. H. I do, well/’ “Remember how you used to come 
into my room and say, “If we only had another quilt for to¬ 
night/’ and I said, “You cannot TAKE MY SILK LOG CABIN 
FROM THE FOOT OF MY BED.” (Yes, I remember that, 
too, said Mr. H.) “Remember how I wore my diamonds in the 
daytime, and took off THE CLUSTER JEWELRY at night and 
PINNED THEM IN A CHAMOIS BAG AND PUT THEM 
AROUND MY NECK?” Yes, said her son in the body before 
me, I do recall it well.” “Remember how I used to bake all those 
pancakes for breakfast, and then come into that dining-room 
(here described, window's, length of long, sq. end table, place of 
kitchen door, and the end on which she spread her own cakes, 
as she said to me (Sarah Shatford) “I ALWAYS ATE MAPLE 
SUGAR ON MINE, I PREFERRED IT: BUT I MADE 
WHITE SUGAR SYRUP FOR HIS.” That is true, said Mr. 
H.) 

This Mother in spirit then said: “Elvira.” Yes, I know who 
that is, said Mr. H. “Then you know, no matter what anyone 
ever says, that I am here?” asked of him. Yes, indeed, her son 
replied. “Then I want to speak of the youngest Boy. The one 
who reads so much in bed.” (Recognized.) 

“With a stand having a lamp on it at the head,” said the 
spirit. Yes, I know, said her son in body. “This boy has born in 
him, and inherits from his Mother’s people high ideals. He 
wants to preach. You must let him go on. Go into his room, 
shut the door after you, lie down on the bed with him, and say, 
“Go ahead my Boy, and I will settle the bills, and you can pay 
me back when you get it.” And the spirit then showed me this 
Boy, whom I described to his father (though he is living) and 
how he would throw up his college, square tasseled, cap, in joy. 
The spirit Mother then commented on the Law. She said, “This 
game is too political for him: he desires to lead the flocks: let 
him do it, for he would be as MUCH OUT OF PLACE IN 
BUSINESS AS A LILY IN THE BACK YARD AND A 
SUNFLOWER IN THE FRONT. Not that sunflowers have 
no place fit for them, they feed the chickens!” Mr. H.’s Mother 
was a jolly soul while in body, and she proved the same in spirit. 

The balance of all this sitting was private, the Mother spoke 


316 MY Proof of Immortality 

of her daughter, Mrs. Geo. Baker, called her “Julia”: and her 
daughter: gave advice for them, properly understood. Also, of 
“George, and his malady, at this time. Etc. Etc. Much more, all 
of family matters, all comprehended as I went along for the 
spirits themselves. When this Mother in spirit had finished, she 
said, “Now, don’t let anyone make you think I was not here with 
you. Remember the black silk petticoat I made by putting two 
dresses together, one was brocaded, and one was plain, and the 
brocade I put in front, and the plain in the back, and I knife 
plaited ruffles all around, and used to show it for fun, and never 
tell about the plain back ?” And Mr. Hurlburt laughed outright, 
saying that was Mother’s joke: we all remember that.” “What 
became of my “LITTLE SEALSKIN MUFF I USED TO 
CARRY?” said this spirit.” (recognized, all of it, and more that 
I cannot write down for the public here.) 


Evidential Proof: 

Hurlburt, W. G. Mr. 

The name “Charlie Ache” was called. (Recognized) “I 
am here to do you a favor, in RETURN FOR THOSE YOU 
DID ME WHILE I WAS IN THE BODY: THOSE CHECKS 
YOU SIGNED FOR ME,” this spirit said. Continuing, “I 
was with you today when the one who had to hand over the deci¬ 
sion to those higher up said NO, and I want to tell you why.” 
(Understood) (Matters of business import were described, in 
great detail, and all understood) Then, this spirit said, “I want 
to go back now with you to the Plant, I want to say ...” etc* 
all matters of great interest to his friend in a body, and, as each 
one was described, their desk, position, etc., the shipments of car 
lots, one of which was delayed and untraced,—financing matters, 
names of cities called, etc. etc. all comprehended as though this 
man were in a body and speaking to his friend. The spirit spoke 
of his own finances, while in a body, making witty remarks 
regarding matters between these two men,—all acknowledged, 
gratefully. Many things of the past, known but to these two, 
were spoken of tonight, and then this spirit said, “Well, I guess 
there are no dead folks after all.” 

A Mother, described her BLACK VELVET GOWN WITH 
ITS BULLET BUTTONS UP THE FRONT OF THE 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


317 


WAIST, HER KNITTED SHOPPING BAG CONTAINING 
A METAL MEMO CASE WHICH SHE CARRIED ON 
HER WRIST WHICH WORE A GOLD BAND BRACE¬ 
LET, TRACED WORK, WITH BLACK ENAMEL ON 
IT,—) all recognized, and acknowledged by Mr. Hurlburt) This 
Mother in spirit said: “You remember my AFGHAN ON 
MY BED, which was crocheted, red and green wheels, put to¬ 
gether with black stripes: my bed was placed so: head so: and 
you used to come in after the balls and chat with me, and tell 
me all about it? (All true, said Mr. Hurlburt) 

“I want you to be so sure I am here tonight”, said this spirit 
Mother. “I stood there when Jean said, “Well, I am just not 
going to worry any more about the children”, and I hope she 
sticks to that, they are all grown.” “I want to speak about the 
Boy who is ailing, away from home: I want to speak about 
George, (her son) “Be sure I am here,—Do you recall the 
LITTLE MAN WHO WAS A CUTTER WHO LIVED 
WITH US, AND HOW I USED TO LAUGH AT HIM IN 
A DRESS SUIT?” (I certainly Do, said Mr. Hurlburt) 

After which family matters of her own children were gone 
into by this spirit, relating to sales, travels, ailments, etc. etc. 
all quite as natural as a visit with a Mother could be in a body. 

“You should see the Bakers,” said this spirit. “They are my 
sister and hers,” said Mr. H.) 


Evidential Proof. 

Hurlburt: Wm. G. 

“A short blonde who taught school is here: I frizzed my 
hair: I used to hold up my left hand and point to my thumb, and 
two fingers, and say, First, Second, Third: and that is just what 
I am going to do here now. I came with Mother to speak about 
Jean. This IS SADE. To prove that I am myself, and no 
other is here, I can tell you that I remember how I used to turn 
down the beds at night, and light the lights and turn them low, 
it was my work, and I had a way of turning them down in points, 
—those covers: when I lived at your house, and baked all those 
apples in that long row, when the Doctor ordered them for me 
(kidney trouble) : and I buttoned the children's shoes, and the 
Girl was my especial charge,—To prove that I am SADE and 



318 


MY Proof of Immortality 

that I am here and came with you from home, I HEARD YOU 
AND SISTER TALKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN THE 
OTHER NIGHT WHEN YOU WERE TAKING OFF 
YOUR SHOES, AND SISTER SAID, WHAT IS THE USE 
OF CHILDREN IF YOU MUST LOSE THEM JUST 
WHEN THEY CAN COMFORT YOU IN OLD AGE?” “And 
I HEARD THE SPEECH THAT SISTER MADE AT THE 
ASSOCIATION AND I WANT TO SAY I WAS PROUD 
OF HER, I did not think it was in her. You know I always 
loved the English language: to read: books of travel: best: I 
longed to go to Europe: you remember ? Well, I have been with 
Mother, your Mother in spirit who is here, BILL, with us to¬ 
night, and we have been to the Museum, and I saw all those old 
PHARAOH tombs, Egyptian, that I used to read about. 
You remember we all called you “Pa-Pa”. And that I used to 
wear a BLACK VELVET RIBBON ON MY HAIR? A 
BOW OF IT BEHIND? SO: (Showing me, Sarah Shatford, 
just how). I want to speak of Sister’s limb, and say that she has 
almost fallen twice, and that she must use a stick to support her, 
or she will fall and might break a hip: I hear her speak of the 
dead folks, and hear her say it is repulsive to her to think her 
own can speak to others and not to her: and I want you to tell 
her all I say here tonight, and tell her if she wants to send a 
Western Union Message she must go to the place where she can 
send it: we can’t reach her yet.” 

All of the above was admitted true, and understood by Mr. 
Hurlburt, who said, “I wish I could have all that written down.” 
Much else was given by this spirit. 

A spirit Mother then described herself “without my false- 
front”, and how she used to laugh with this Son over the old 
age, and her “false-front” (meaning modish hair of natural 
brown, which she bought to keep young, as she expressed it, 
laughingly) 

She described her room, herself, the way she used to take 
him by the shoulders, so: and what she said at these times, and 
much else of a private nature, all sacred and of family matters, 
all acknowledged true, understood. “How I enjoyed a baked 
potato. Just have baked potatoes, I used to say. “That is true, 
she did,” said Mr. Hurlburt. 

“I wore crepe leisse ruches, and a bar pin, having small 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


319 


diamonds across it.” She did, said the gentleman to whom she 
was speaking FROM SPIRIT. 

“Jack Vandervort is here,” said a spirit. Recognized by 
Mr. H. 

Much else was given of the past and present, all understood, 
and gratefully acknowledged. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: 

Helen Hayes, (Mrs. B. R. Hayes) 

This woman, who has had hundreds of messages from spirit 
through me, was given her final messages last night, so the 
spirit tells me. 

We have known each other since 1915, when I went to The 
Calumet Hotel to live, where her husband was Manager. It was 
there I first heard a spirit voice, and gave this woman her first 
message from her Mother, Father, Brother, etc. in spirit. We 
are both members of The Eastern Star (Masonic) Laurel Chap¬ 
ter No. 44. Carnegie Hall, having taken our degree together. 
(See her letter of acknowledgment in file) 

Mrs. Hayes said this evening of proof was, if possible, the 
most wonderful of all ever given her. To begin with her Mother 
in spirit began to solve a problem of a lost ring: something which 
had occurred at place of business, which could not be solved, it 
seemed. As the spirits do not use me for these purposes at all, 
I did not understand what was being done, but she did. An 
employee claimed she had left her diamond engagement ring in 
the wash room, where she removed it to wash her hands, and 
returning for it a few moments later found it gone. As it could 
not go into the basin’s pipe, it was a mystery. 

Mrs. Hayes’ Mother told of her (Mrs. Hayes) girlhood, her 
clothes, whims, play, sweetheart at the gate whom she parted 
this one from because of her father’s wishes, how she knocked 
on the window pane for her to come in the house and would 
not permit her to stand at the gate and talk—of all the most 
sacred family history and traits of character and failings, and 
joys,—her own sufferings of body, etc. all too inviolate to set 
down here for my sister Helen Hayes, but told FROM spirit 
Father, Mother, Grandfather, and others, with names. And 
Grandfather said: “But you did not call me grandfather but 



320 


MY Proof of Immortality 

another name (and he called it to me, which I repeated, and 
which was Norwegian for grandfather, which she did call him 
always. This old man described everything about their country’s 
cousins, himself, his black cape, whiskers, hat and shawl. Her 
Mother gave ancient history of incidents of family record, with 
proof each time it was Mother, by giving with it the description 
of something belonging to her (Mother). For instance: Her 
father told of his favorite music, those things he used to play on 
his violin: that he would rather a piece of citron than any candy: 
told of all his implements he used in life to make a living: 
bringing them in one at a time: and after all was said I cannot 
record, as Mrs. Hayes would have to do that were she able, and 
willing, this spirit Mother said to her daughter: “We have 
brought you a string of pearls. Tie the ends and look them over, 
do not lose one. It is our best, all we can do: we will tap as 
we have done the dresser mirror, or the plate (acknowledged) 
and you will know we are there and you have not lost us.” 

This is the third friend who has had a final message given 
them within a week. Why, I do not know. But I know it IS 
final, has been told me, “We are closing all the old doors: this 
will be all for this one.” 


Evidential Proof: 

Hayes Helen Mrs. 

Mrs. Hayes’ family in spirit, Mother, Father, Sister, have 
described all they knew of themselves, leaving nothing more to be 
said it would seem, yet they still find new articles to bring forth, 
new memories, not touched upon before, each time my friend 
comes in to dinner. Their lives in Norway, home in New Haven, 
while they were children, and all together, has been recalled over 
and over, with their likes, and dislikes, favorite sayings, maladies, 
shortcomings even gone into 

Last night, when Mrs. Hayes’ Mother in spirit was speaking 
to her from spirit, she proved it was Mother by saying, before 
she discussed the things of the day with her own child in a body, 
“I SAW YOU WHEN YOU MISSPELLED THAT WORD 
WHEN USING YOUR TYPEWRITER, AND YOU HAD 
TO MAKE A NEW SHEET, TODAY ” That is true, said 
Helen: I DID THE SAME THING TWICE, AND THE 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 321 

WORD WAS BUREAU (Hunts Point Plant, American Bank 
Note Co.) 

Mrs. Hayes’ sister said to her, from spirit, tonight, ‘‘DO 
YOU REMEMBER WHEN THAT BARN BURNED 
DOWN, THAT WAS FULL OF HAY?” “Indeed I Do,” said 
Mrs. Hayes. When she told of this fire in New Haven, Conn, 
when these were children together, she and her sister IDA, who 
called her name, as she brought all the folks from spirit, de¬ 
scribed all their clothes, dresses, fancy-work, dances, play-toys, 
HOW THESE TWO SISTERS PLAYED MARBLES TO¬ 
GETHER, Her young brother passed with throat trouble, all 
told, and all her mother’s ways, quilts, positions when ill, interest 
in Music, private home life all recalled by spirits. 


Evidential Proof, Nov. 9th, 1923. 

HAYES Helen: 

Mrs. Hayes came to tell me that the Aunt, whom her 
Mother in spirit had told her would die, and her Uncle would 
come for the funeral, had passed out Friday, and the Uncle was 

here. 

Mrs. Hayes’ father in spirit discussed with Mrs. Hayes the 
interior of that home, the family affairs, bills, etc. as well as her 
own, and then said: “This is from the one your Mother said 
used to cause her so much trouble because he would not let 
HARD CIDER ALONE.” “I certainly recognize that as my 
father,” said Mrs. Hayes. 

This father was Norwegian, lived in another State, passed 
out years ago, and has proved himself, as has Mrs. Hayes’ 
Mother and sister IDA, for years, in my work. We often say, 
in fact, it is wonderful how they can think of any new proof 
that they are themselves. But they do. Every time they speak 
they must prove themselves. That is all I get for my work is 
absolute proof of their identity. 

Jan. 31st, 1924. 

Mrs. Hayes’ Mother in spirit tonight described the quilt she 
made, its pattern, how she wrapped herself in it to sit up when 
ill: told how she had a habit of rubbing her hands when it was 
cold, and what she said then: told this daughter “I was there this 
morning when you put on stockings that did not match, and you 



322 


MY Proof of Immortality 


had to SEARCH IN THAT BAG FOR THE MATE TO THE 
HOSE” (Admitted by Mrs. Hayes) “I see you WHEN YOU 
COUNT THOSE BUTTONS ON A VEST AND SAY RICH- 
MAN? POORMAN? BEGGARMAN, THIEF”—(Admitted by 
Mrs. Hayes as true) This spirit Mother then told of THE 
CURRANT LOAF CAKE SHE BAKED, and said, “I HAD 
A CAKE TRAY, (and showed me this tray, so I was able to 
describe it to Mrs. Hayes.) Admitted true, all of it, by her 
daughter in the body. The Mother then gave most wonderful 
proof that she knew all transpiring, advising this child, showing 
a Mother’s care and interest in all that is transpiring, still. 


Evidential Proof: Sunday, Sept 16th. 1923. Modena, N. Y. 

Helen Hayes’ Uncle, a Norwegian, living near Newburgh, in 
the little hamlet of Modena, a Paradise among hills and vine¬ 
yards. 

Continually as we walked among the trees and vines the 
spirits spoke asking if I could not speak for them to this man of 
soul, who, it seems, is against the spirits as he has read of them. 
I had been asked not to give him a message, as he was nervous 
on this subject. As the man is over Seventy, I wondered at this, 
but did not break the silence for his in spirit. However, I regis¬ 
ter here, how sad it is for the “dead” as well as for those who 
hear these, that their one chance in their “deathtime” must be 
lost to them and theirs because of prejudice. At last, when we 
were about to take our car home, his Niece came up to my side, 
and I said to her, “Will you please tell your Uncle after I leave, 
that his own wished to speak to him today, and there is a Father 
here who wore a black cape, and threw the corner of it over his 
shoulder, he was born across the sea, has a beard, wears a 
brimmed black felt hat, wide brim. And his wife is here, and 
his sister, and your Mother is here, and has longed to prove it 
to you.” 

She took this much. When I described this spirit with the 
cape, and his manner of throwing the corner over his left shoul¬ 
der, Helen said: “Why that is Grandfather, his own Father. 
He is just like you say, and he wore that cape, we all know that.” 
Just a moment of time it took for those in spirit to PROVE 
themselves. An instant, truly. 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


323 


(Duplicate Copy) Original on file Torch Press. (Testimonial 

letter of scientific, evidential proof) 

New York City, Feb. 25th. 1922. 

Mrs. Sarah Shatford, 

Dear Mrs. Shatford: 

It has been on my mind for some time to put into writing 
some of the wonderful proof you have given me during the last 
seven years that my own whom I thought of as “dead”, Mother, 
Father, and Brother, are living, have proved so by evidence no 
one else but they in spirit could give. They have proved thru 
you they have never left me since they “died”, that they know all 
that has happened to me since they “died”, also their memory, 
love and personality survive. 

My Father and Mother have recalled thru you scenes of my 
childhood, customs of our home, all their clothes, belongings, 
sorrows and joys of their lives. They have told you and you 
repeated to me what you heard. The first message you gave me 
from the so-called “dead” was in the year 1916. We lived at the 
Calumet Hotel, where my husband Mr. B. R. Hayes was man¬ 
ager. You had lived there two years. We were strangers: had 
no mutual friends. My old home was in New Haven, Conn., 
where you have never been, and this was described in full by 
both my Father and Mother in spirit with their descriptions of 
themselves, clothes, Father’s business, violin playing, Mother’s 
disease from which she passed out (being cancer) and my little 
brother who passed out with croup. You described how he died. 
You told me that a voice told you and you repeated it, that was 
all. It was so wonderful to me that I could not grasp it then; 
but we knew you, your life and character and I knew you must 
hear some voice to tell me these things. So, I asked my sister 
to come from New Haven and she brought Mrs. Dr. Zills with 
her. My aunt was present, Emma Simonson and a friend Mrs. 
John Fay, when you came to our apartment and gave each one 
present more proof than you had given me that there are no 
“dead”, they live and are present and do prove, it by speaking 
to you. Since then you have seen another friend in trouble, Miss 
Aldrich (proof reader for the American Bank Note Co. Hunts 
Point) giving her messages from her Mother, messages of proof 
from spirit such as only a spirit could give. 


324 


MY Proof of Immortality 


During these years (1916-1922) you have repeatedly given 
me volumes of new evidence which it would take many weeks 
to sum up on paper, all of which is scientific, evidential and 
invariably true. Among the things told me from spirit I will 
mention a few in the spirit’s own words to you which you re¬ 
peated to me: (from Mother) “Do you remember the maroon 
dress?” “Do you remember my dress with the glass buttons?” 
“Do you remember how I punished you for breaking the tube¬ 
roses?” “You have my fringed red tablecloth.” Which is true 
absolutely, and I still use it. 

Father described his cutter’s knife, his violin, his country 
(Norway) told of Andrew Anderson and unravelled a mystery 
about him. Told how he dropped out of sight (which he did) 
and every little personal trait of Father’s and Mother’s they have 
mentioned at different times you have given me messages from 
them, until now, I know they are here, I can rely on them, and 
they often give me evidence of their presence. 

I have never heard you give a message from the dead until 
they (the spirits themselves) have proved themselves living. Liv¬ 
ing and their memory surviving. This makes your work of such 
value, and so true, and convincing. I write this letter of my own 
accord. My gratitude is unbounded: for it is all you will permit 
me to do in return for this work you have done for me, accepting 
of no pay whatever from anyone for your proof of survival 
“after death”. 

(Mrs. B. R. Hayes) (Signed Helen T. Hayes. 

Mrs. Herze, of Waco, Texas, Widow, 

Residing at No. 40 W 83rd St.: Mrs. Herze came to my room. 

Several times at the dining room table I heard different 
names called. First, “There is a spirit here who says his name 
is Frasier.” Then, “There is a spirit here for Lois.” The young 
lady who sat opposite me, Miss Elizabeth Montieth, was asked, 
“Do you know anyone in spirit by the name of Frasier?” She 
said she did not. It passed for several days. Then one day 
Miss Montieth called to me from across the street to wait, and 
she crossed over. She said “Last night we had a circle over at 
the house just for fun, and do you know one of the girls from 
Texas who sits at the long center table has a brother in spirit 
and his name is Frasier.” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


325 


Now, “Lois” was Mrs. Herze’s little daughter who is placed 
in school by this mother who is lately widowed. The first spirit 
to come was an old woman with a shawl over her head with 
grey hair, very anxious to be known as this one’s grandmother: 
not recognized by the sitter. Next, “Papa Bowers, or Papa 
Powers” described himself, the great age he lived to nearly 90 
years, and the trouble he had with his feet. This was recognized, 
but the name was not quite right,” she said. 

Next the spirit for Lois described himself, the home she was 
parting with against his will and wish, the too strenuous work 
at college for this girl “Lois”, and her musical education. He 
described her chubby fingers at the key-board when her feet 
would not touch the piano pedals: he spoke of a step-child, he 
gave messages for his brother re. publishing and output to sell 
the first off the press before the next was put on, etc. All 
recognized by the sitter. Names called Lide, and I cannot recall 
the others. 

Mrs. Herze, widow, Texas, brought her sewing to spend an 
hour with me. As she plied her needle, I heard: “There’s a 
spirit of an elderly lady here in a black silk dress, she loved 
house plants, ferns, had a home with a veranda and sat there. 
She had a low Phaeton, and she knitted with her own hands an 
afghan for it, she says with a crochet hook. She had to be 
helped into this conveyance, she had trouble with her limbs. This 
one was so kind to her, used to rub her back. She then described 
a young woman in a bridal costume, luxury, a stone mansion,— 
she told of the pride she took in canning her own fruit,—then 
she sent a message to her son, a Publisher in this City. All of 
which is exactly true, recognized as this son’s Mother, and the 
Mother-in-law of the one sitting with the medium. An old gen¬ 
tleman in broadcloth, with grey whiskers, a man who inherited 
his wealth, sent a message to his son. “Clean hands first, Son. 
Duty. Father.” This was for one having two children and this 
son was in Texas. All of which was understood by the one 
sitting with the medium. Names were called which I do not 
now recall. That evening the son of the first woman in spirit 
who spoke came to me and asked if he might see me,—but the 
woman who had received these two remarkable sittings had not 
told him (he is her brother-in-law) and I was the first to tell 
him that his Mother had made it plain she could speak with him. 


326 


MY Proof of Immortality 


(Evidential proof) 

KELLY (James E.) 

I have given Mr. Kelly many messages from his Mother. 
Her influence is a very quiet, gentle, soft, tender one,—and as 
few words are used in transmission as possible, I suppose for 
the reason that Mr. Kelly does not care to receive messages from 
the “dead” as it is against the teachings of his Church. At 
least, he gives me to understand this: but I will add that Mr. 
Kelly has been very grateful at times for information or words 
connecting him with the unseen, which he understood every 
word, and did not try to hide his satisfaction. 

One evening as we sat together at dinner. The voice said 
“His Mother would like to make herself known: try.” I told 
Kelly. He changed the subject. “She desires to plan fur his 
future” the voice said. I told him this. He asked me not to 
“get on this subject” as I knew why he did not receive messages 
of this kind. 

I was helping him with his notes for his book “When New 
York Bloomed,” and he went over to his Studio, in the Y. M. 
C. A. next door, to get a paper; as the waiter changed the plates, 
I had a New York Sun at my elbow. I grasped this, took a 
pencil and wrote the following message: “Continue with your 
small work, and wait until a check is forthcoming on the monu¬ 
ment.” 

After the meal was finished, and we were about to go in the 
parlor, I read him the notes on the margin of the evening paper,— 
His face became very grave: I asked if he understood it, he said 
“Perfectly.” Seemed glad. 

Now, this is remarkable for the following. Mr. Kelly was 
beginning his statue “Rodney’s Ride” for the Wilmington Park, 
I did not know of such work at all,—neither that he was work¬ 
ing on a companion piece for Deitrich Knickerbocker (his small 
bronze: this new piece is now finished. 

Many other messages were given later. His Mother de¬ 
scribed her husband’s only living relative: how she had lived 
with this relative when she was first married, etc. All under¬ 
stood. She always gave him advice. 

But the evidential proof I wish to file here is one of great 
value. 

Recently I have assisted Kelly with his “Life Of Lincoln” 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


327 


in taking to dictation from valuable material in hand, and copying 
same on this machine: all a labor of joy, as Mr. Kelly has always 
been kind and friendly to me. As I sat waiting for Kelly to 
get ready one morning of late in his Studio, and several days 
after he had moved this studio from the 3rd to the 4th floor, 
this same gentle influence spoke. Knowing Kelly’s attitude, I 
grasped some paper, and wrote for this spirit voice: (as near as 
I can memorize) 

“Have others execute what you design; outside the studio. 
Go to the jungle and take out the bell, but spend your last days 
in reflection grave or joyous, attending to those matters others 
less illustrious may garble when you come here. You have an 
attic again, I see. More inspiration for an Artist I suppose, 
(a little platform and some steps up to it. THE BUST OF 
GENERAL HAYES IS STILL UNOBTRUSIVE I SEE.” 

Mother.” 

This is the remarkable thing which Kelly was pleased over: 
for I did not know he had a bust of Hayes or anything about 
it. He laughed, enjoyed it, said “that is great,” and told me the 
following: 

“General Hayes brought two young ladies to see the bust of 
himself made by Kelly. He was intoxicated. The bust was 
not in evidence. He resented it and Kelly had to have the help of 
the ladies to still his resentment. Now that Kelly had moved, 
this bust was in a corner with some lumber and books and saddles 
and boots and whatnot,—“Still unobtrusive, I see.” The Mother 
who gave that message had been there, or known of the Hayes 
occurrence, and this was something no one could give but spirit. 

Mr. Kelly has told me of how the spirits have bothered him. 
Placing their cold hands on him at night, pinching his toes, etc. 
He had a medal on his neck at the time blessed by the Pope. 
Grasping this he told them to do their worst but not to dare to 
come above that medal. And they did not. He has told me 
much regarding his own experiences on this order: Knows the 
truth of spirit return; avoids the subject except to settle some 
question for me in my own development,—and, when I could not 
sleep for the voice “keeping in touch” for fear of losing my 
hearing, Kelly procured for me a bottle of Lourdes (France) 
water, which I used to calm this voice and silence it. It was 
a miracle, no doubt; for many tried to silence it and could not; 


328 


MY Proof of Immortality 

except Dr. Robert Watson, who, when the spirit first took me 
“put him out,” that is, compelled him, by kindness and prayer, to 
cease from bothering me. I cannot write more for print as 
mortals would not understand unless I wrote at length, taking 
up the occurrences in turn. 

Sarah Taylor Shatford. 

Oct. 16th, 1919. 

Kelly's “Washington at Prayer” is on the Sub-Treasury Bldg, 
in Wall street. His statue of Fitz John Porter is in Portsmouth, 
etc., etc. 


Spirit voice in Kelly’s Studio: Dec. 22nd, 1921. On the eve of 

his departure for Florida. 

“He’s coming to us—not long either. We’re here, but his 
religion interferes with his conscience and he prefers to obey 
his religious teachers. 

“We find him in good condition considering his achievement, 
—a terrible strain too prolonged. When you can do so give him 
a little love from us and a mild reminder that he is NOT so 
young any more. Let us live for ourselves for awhile, James. 
We are conscious of your own feelings on this subject. Tell 
us all you care to for WE hear YOU. Live in your own environ¬ 
ment now and rest before you start again with your life work. 
We live much the same as when we all spoke to one another 
only our speech is silent. Who cares if we do not. The element 
here has changed. Yours is no more. Rowdyism everywhere 
rampant. Now Leisure classes obliterated. I’m the Scotchman 
speaking. The clan you come from. You’ll take a chance and 
give him this for us. You can’t imagine what it means to speak 
and be heard, we SEEM not to have died then. We can never 
repay interest IN us. His health will improve immediately he 
gets air. Out DOOR air tell him. Sit in the sun and BAKE. 
You’ll writeup the crocodiles soon. But you won’t be inspired 
by THEM. 

“Now to prove I am your namesake I will tell of Mother’s 
worst fault. Coddling her Jamsie since he wore skirts. I used 
to tell her she was MAKING a girl OUT of you since you came 
a boy. 


“Dad.” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


329 


December 22nd, 1921. New York City. 

Behold the great! We’ve lived with these you see. 

Thev speak TO us, who saw their inner parts, 

And knew THEM better than they knew THEMSELVES. 
Some PLAYED WITH FIRE, some, HAD fire IN their hearts. 
As greatw^ IS the great IF IT survive, 

May we meet friend AND foe in statute NEW, 

We never dream of IN their casts OF clay, 

Although the man WE saw we THOUGHT we KNEW. 

Great souls, AS men, as Life you’re living NOW 
Who “posed” FOR us, though you are “lost” to view. 

My time you bought (and THOUGHT you PAID FOR, too), 
Enhanced was by things YOU thought YOU knew! 

(To Kelly: from a spirit looking on in his studio at moving time.) 


Evidential Proof: Kelly, 

May 4th, ’20. 

I have given Mr. Kelly many remarkable messages (see 
records) but as he is a Catholic and not seeking for them I have 
to impose them at the request of the spirits, often have to write 
them and leave them in his studio. 

As I have taken the notes for Mr. Kelly’s Life of Lincoln, 
typed them and returned same (gratis) I see him very often, 
have known him since 1912, when I was introduced to him by 
a Southerner, Brownie Merwin. 

On this morning he was late. As I sat waiting for him 
a spirit spoke to me, saying: “Tell him to get busy with the 
martyred one, his right hand we see powerless.” After the notes 
were taken, this same gentle personality asked me to write a 
message for her: 

“Ask him if he enjoyed his pancakes this morning. This 
is just to show we know.” 

“Mother.” 

Then followed a message from Mr. Kelly’s father, in which 
he said: “This noble son was given to sulks and tantrums in 
his youth, and we tried to break him of it:” and more, of a per¬ 
sonal nature, and this spirit signed himself “Pap.” 

This is all evidential proof; and is only one of many true 
messages given this good Catholic: as his has proved over and 
over, they are with him. 



330 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Kelly: 

Nov. 6th, 1919. 

While taking notes for Kelly this morning, for his “Lincoln,” 
and, “When New York Bloomed,” EVANS, the engraver, came 
into Kelly’s studio. Kelly ceased dictating to talk with Evans. A 
spirit voice took this opportunity (see notes for other messages 
from this same spirit) to speak, asking that I write down a 
message for “my lad.” 

A gentle soul, mild, beautiful influence, begged him to par¬ 
take of his evening meal earlier and to work as late as he cared 
to, but not to rise before the building was heated, as these days 
were dangerous : he was liable to take cold. She then told me 
(Sarah Shatford) that his brain was all right and clear, but 
that he was “old,” and did not know it. (This was also written 
into the note for Mr. Kelly). She then told him to set about 
giving his time to his Lincoln modeling, “as he has the clay here 
at the present time. Ask him if this is not true: he knows it is. 
Tell him to get the last check on the monument and then quit. 
He has another panel to make for this which he hasn’t started 
yet.” Then she said: “How often I have pressed near to con¬ 
verse with him when you came here. Why have I not done so. 
Just this: He is anxious to live up to the letter of his faith. 
But these few words from Mother cannot harm. All must know 
soon that we serve eternally. We will laugh when he comes 
home as we used to do under the old kerosene lamp, when he 
had only begun what was then his (pause here) talent, at that 
time. He has immortalized the name, our name: and is the best 
of living Artists. For my lad. Mother.” 


I read this to Kelly after Evans departed: Kelly admitted 
everything to be true therein: the clay for the statue of Lincoln 
was then in his studio: he has another panel to make for his 
statue “Rodney’s Ride” Wilmington Del. Park, which he has 
not begun: the old kerosene lamp was also true: his hearty meal 
at night true also—as well as the cold building at the Y. M. C. A. 
in the morning. (See Mr. Kelly’s Mother’s message re. Hayes 
statue: in this record) 

Nov. 7th. 1919. 

Before daylight this morning I woke at the spirit’s behest, 
hearing: “Kelly will soon view his work from the steeps.” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


331 


I said, “Yes?” “What does that mean?” 

The voice said: “His Lincoln will be at the Capitol. His 
last work is for Uncle Sam.” 

The spirit was gentle: not masculine: gave no name, nor 
could I get more though I tried. I take it as a postscript to the 
message I recorded in Kelly’s Studio yesterday while Evans and 
Kelly were talking. I have written this down for Mr. Kelly, 
and handed it to him. I have given Mr. Kelly many messages 
from his Mother: she described her only living relative, and 
spoke of his career, and her wishes re. the disposal of his funds, 
etc. 

This Mother was so devoted to him in her life that Kelly 
gives her all the credit for his ability, and the reward of genius 
belongs to her and the faith and self-sacrifice she made for him 
during her lifetime in order that he might study and avail him¬ 
self of the best teachers they could procure. . 

Kelly: additional: 

Nov. 13th. 

At dawn the spirit woke me, as usual. Voice said, “The 
lady under the kerosene lamp is here (Kelly’s Mother: she re¬ 
ferred to this lamp in her message to Kelly: see notes). 

Yes: I said: I know you. 

Voice said: “Ask him if he remembers making the cross 
stitches with colored threads ? I made him in order to keep him 
off the streets: so many bad boys: sticks and stones. His little 
hands . . 

(Note by S. T. S. Although I asked if the stitches were 
made on cardboard, and if the colored threads were of wool, no 
answer came. I had the message evidently. Therefore this 
morning, after finishing taking the Lincoln notes at Kelly’s 
Studio, I told him the above message. In a meditative manner, 
very much impressed, he said, “Isn’t that strange? Isn’t that 
strange!” I said, “Do you recall making the cross stitches with 
colored threads?” “I do”: he said.) 


Friday, Nov. 14th, 1919. 

Kelly: evidential proof: additional. 

Early this morning I was awakened by the spirit, a gentle 
soul: A voice said: “the lady with the lamp.” (Kelly’s 



332 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Mother’s reference to the kerosene lamp by which they sat, 
under which they laughed, in their old home.) 

I said that I thought I knew who she was. 

This voice continued: 

“The first picture he ever painted was of a horse with a 
saddle. (Here, I thought I lost a word, and said saddle or 
bridle, I did not get that. The voice ceased but did not solve 
this question.) Continuing, voice said, “I used to make dresses 
(dressmaker) when they wore puffs, so much shirring. I made 
every stitch he wore as long as he wore short pants, used even 
his father’s neckties to make his bows, and he was the best 
dressed boy on our block. You have never done more for him 
than to give him my messages. He has had such a fear of dying. 
Now he knows if I have gone through and am here to guard I 
will be with him wherever he is in the hereafter which I would 
not say AFTER.” 

“You would look well in buff with black velvet and a span¬ 
gled fan.” (To me, S. T. S.) 

“I wore a cape with two tiers.” 

“Now I will give you a good night kiss and go.” 

As I had found Kelly ailing yesterday and taken him some 
chicken broth cubes, etc., I take it this Mother kissed me in grati¬ 
tude. Note by S. T. S. Noon of same day. 

I read Mr. Kelly this additional proof that his Mother came 
to me, and he tells me that it is all evidential. He painted the 
picture: she made his clothes: she wore the cape. Mr. Kelly says 
it has made him so homesick to get this evidence that he is 
almost sick. 

I do not know why: but he is ailing. 

This is the fourth message (one from his father) I have 
given Mr. Kelly within a week’s time after, or during taking 
dictation from him for his Life of Lincoln, and his History of 
New York. (A work I do gratis, in return for many kind, 
considerate favors, and friendship, since the year 1912.) 

I have told Mr. Kelly that I would not give him more unless 
he asked for it, unless about his health, so this may be the last. 
Let me say this Mother kept the ball rolling until he had accumu¬ 
lated such a lot of proof that he could not think she was not 
there in person. She died long ago, I never saw or knew anyone 
who knew her. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 333 

Kelly: Evidential proof: additional. 

Nov. 15th. before dawn: 

Awakened by the spirit: voice said: “The lady with the 
lamp”: 

Yes, I said, I know you. 

“You forgot the tobacco,” she said. 

Sure enough, I said to her, I did. But I will tell him. 
(Kelly, heit son.) 

“He is convinced and satisfied,” she said, “but overcome.” 

“I understand,” I said. 

(This Mother of Kelly who has proved over and over again 
that she is present, and proved it to him, acknowledged by him 
as proved, had told me, when she gave the early morning mes¬ 
sage for her son the following, which I failed to recall when I 
wrote the message down for her son, and handed it to him, when 
he acknowledged it all true. See notes recorded for proof of this.) 

The tobacco message follows: 

From Kelly’s Mother in spirit: 

“I exacted a promise from him that he would never smoke. 
And he has kept his word. I have been sorry at times that I did 
so, seeing the comfort others derive from use of the weed.” “Tell 
him this.” 

As I forgot this in the message I repeated as from her, she 
came back to me to say “You forgot the tobacco.” Evidently 
this mother reads her son’s mind, and wants to establish the truth 
of her daily presence so strongly that she would not omit the 
tobacco promise. We shall get this verified, and report. 


Evidential Proof: April 1923. New York City. 

Plumber for-& Company, Real Estate, Builders. Name, 

Kavanough. 

It was my misfortune to need the Plumber for the kitchen. 
As he worked at cutting a pipe under the kitchen sink, pounding 
away at cutting and melting, I was using an electric iron nearby. 
In these disturbances, a spirit spoke to me saying: “This is my 
boy, I should like to help him. He is Catholic, but you can send 
the Priest here, tell him.” 

“I will give him your message, nevertheless,” said I. “What 
is it?” 




334 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“He dislikes his work very much. He studied to be an elec¬ 
trician, but got married, and could not go on with it. Now, he 
has two chances for business. One is with a man who has been 
in trouble, and he is not out of it yet, the police are looking for 
him. Tell him to pass up the Garage offer. Tell him I worked 
with my shovel and saw.” All right, said I. Wait a moment.” 

“Are you a Catholic?” I asked the man underneath the 
plumbing. 

“Yes, I am, Why?” Said the Plumber. 

“Well, the dead speak to me, just like I am speaking to 
you,” I told him, “and I have been speaking with your Father, 
who died, and he wishes me to speak to you for him. Will you 
confess that you took a message, if I give you one,” I asked him. 
“For the Priests do not care to have you speak with the dead.” 

“I know that,” he said. 

Here, this man’s father, in spirit, described himself as fol¬ 
lows : 

“I was a carpenter. Wore tall leather boots, blue overalls, 
shirt open at the throat, gray whiskers, so long, mixed yellow, 
bushy eyebrows, longish hair, straw hat that came to a point on 
top,—and he held a long handled shovel in his hands, with a 
round point. This spirit continued: “I chewed tobacco, and had 
a way of throwing it (showing me) I always took the tin pail 
and went after the beer for my lunch.” This spirit then described 
the little place where this son had been reared, the stream where 
he waded, and said “The round face girl, with the long braids, 
and full red lips, with the two front teeth parted a space, who 
was always laughing, she is here too. Your Mother is here with 
me also. I want you to stop and go into some small business 
for yourself. Your wife does not like this dirty business, and I 
think you would do well with cigars, or tobacco. Try it. If you 
stop taking so much coffee before you go to bed you will sleep 
better,” said this father. “And I want to say that all that talk 
about that one at home with the small child, is to be wiped off the 
slate, it is not true, not a word of it is true, it is all talk.” Rec¬ 
ognized. 

“Do you recognize this as your father, sir?” “I do,” said the 
Plumber. “That is my father, all right.” And the girl with him ? 
“Yes, I know her, too?” 

“Do you understand all he said,” I asked? “Sure,” he said. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


335 


This man’s Mother, in spirit, then stepped up to my side. 
She was large, fleshy, dark haired, parted in center, waved, and 
brought low, in a small knot at the back. Her sleeves were rolled 
up. She smiled, and said: “Who used to bring in all the little 
shells, leaves, and stones for me, and say: “Come, see what I 
brought You?” “And I would come in,” said the spirit Mother, 
“and pick them up, and admire them, and say, How beautiful! 
This is Mother.” The man nodded yes. Then, this Mother in 
spirit took me to the country home, the little house on a side 
slope, described it, and the life there, the brook where he waded, 
—etc. etc. Much more was given by this spirit, it is no use to 
write down, all of which was recognized by this man, a workman 
in my Apartment, whom I never saw before. 


Evidential Proof : July 21st, 1923. N. Y. C. 

KAVANOUGH. 

This plumber was called to stop with cement a corner in the 
kitchen where a mouse came to visit us. It is the same man who 
received such fine messages from his in spirit some time ago. 
Today, as he worked, a spirit presented himself to me wearing 
blue overalls, with an apron attached, a straw hat (described in 
full) with a “pointed crown” etc., carrying a shovel in his hand 
outstretched. This was the same father, same beard, same as in 
life, said this son, who presented himself to this boy once before, 
while at work in my Apartment, pleading with me to help his son. 

Today, the first thing this spirit said, was: “ASK HIM IF 
HE REMEMBERS WHEN HE WANTED TO CHEW 
SOME OF MY TOBACCO?” And I, Sarah Shatford, saw 
this spirit smile. 

When the man had finished his work, I told him what his 
father had said, and he laughed and said: “I guess I do!” All 
the dead want is a chance to prove they are here. Just a little 
moment, is sufficient. The Father in spirit then said to his son: 
“He never wanted to after that. What a crying and fuss there 
was.” “That is true, too,” said the plumber. This father then 
told him what he cared to tell him, all private, but understood by 
his Boy. The Mother, who had proved herself to this son, was 
then beside me, and described her “dressing sacque”: after which 
she said: “Tell him I am here under the cherry-tree, with my 



336 


MY Proof of Immortality 


apron, waiting for him to come down with his tin pail full. I 
used to be so afraid he would fall out of THAT TREE.” This 
Mother in spirit then showed me, Sarah Shatford, those cherries, 
large, white ones, with stems, which she pitted for pies. 

All this was quickly done, and as quickly acknowledged by 
the boy in front of me. His immediate problems, were then fig¬ 
ured out FOR him, regarding his work, his children, home, 
family’s health discussed as the living would discuss it, all known, 
and proved known, by the dead. This spirit spoke of his wife’s 
fear at night, that she did not want him to go away looking for 
work because she was afraid to sleep with the windows open. 
(All recognized.) This Mother described herself, her arms, 
sleeves rolled up, and said, “I USED TO SAY THE ONLY 
FAULT YOUR FATHER HAD WAS HIS TEMPER: WELL 
I WISH YOU INHERITED MORE OF IT.” He understood 
this, said THAT is true.” Then his father said, “SHE TOLD 
ME I WAS NOT RELIGIOUS; but I ALWAYS CARRIED 
A SMALL IMAGE IN MY SHIRT POCKET. ONCE THE 
SCAFFOLDING SLIPPED, AND IT WAS A MIRACLE I 
WAS NOT HURTI ALWAYS SAID AND THOUGHT 
IT WAS DUE TO THE PROTECTION OF THIS SAINT 
CARRIED WITH ME.” 

All the details of the family life, while they occupied bodies, 
were told. And comprehended by this Boy before me. This 
spirit Mother said: “HE WILL RECALL MY HABIT OF 
CLASPING MY HANDS TOGETHER, SO, AS I RAISED 
MY EYES, SAYING “GOD GRANT IT WILL NOT 
HAPPEN,” or “PRAISE GOD IT IS NO WORSE.” Which 
he did recognize at once, saying: “Yes: my Mother always did 
that.” 


Evidential Proof: Dec. 14th, 1923. 

N. Y. C. 

Kavanough: Plumber. 

Sent by the Janitor to repair an electric reading lamp. (See 
other proof for same man, in file) 

A spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, “I would like to tell 
my Boy they have only postponed that job. Can you speak for 
me?” The man is a Catholic. So I said to him: “Some one here 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


33 7 


is asking me to give you a message for them about a job. Are 
you willing to confess it?” 

“Well, the priests give us the dickens for taking messages, and 
tell us not to do it again, and we have to do penance for it, you 
know.” 

“Then I cannot speak for this spirit to you. It is an old man 
in spirit speaking.” 

“But we always want to hear from the dead,” said this young 
man, father of four. “I would like to know about that, too,” 
said he. 

A spirit said, then: “He knows how I liked to play cards, 
and how his Mother did not want me to, and the quarrels we had 
over it.” “I do, that,” said this plumber. 

Then this father in spirit delivered to his son a message 
regarding salary and position, including promises made, etc., all 
of which was understood by his son. Then a woman in spirit 
said, “I want to tell him about his wife who needs help, servant 
help. He REMEMBERS MY BROKEN THUMB, AND 
HOW I HAD TO WEAR IT IN A SLING.” “I do, that’s 
right: said the son of this Mother in spirit. “And to prove to 
him that I am here, and Mother, I will tell him I came along 
over with him from his house, and stood by when she was saying 
she must HAVE NEW SHEARS, THAT SHE HAD HAD 
HERS SHARPENED BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO.” 
“That is true, my wife is dressmaking, and that was said, and 
only today.” 

After this recognition, by the son, in body, of his Mother’s 
proof that she is herself and here in spirit, this Mother went into 
home problems, regarding children’s ailments, moving, etc. etc. 
all given in a few moments of time. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF : Thursday, Feb. 7th, 1924, New York 
City. 

“KITTY”: waitress. 

This Girl has had many remarkable messages from her 
Mother and hers in spirit, all given by pleas of the spirits them¬ 
selves, to speak for them, while I partook of my meal in this Caf6. 
Today, after taking my order, Kitty’s Mother in spirit said to 
me, Sarah Shatford, “You left her a Quarter last time: that is 



338 


MY Proof of Immortality 


too much: look what you do for us.” I had indeed forgotten the 
quarter, left on a Sunday, when this girl was given a message 
from her Mother who sympathized with Kitty over her aching 
feet, telling how she saw her with them in hot water every night, 
‘‘there in that small room at the back, with the bed, there, (show¬ 
ing me). Spirits remember. “I want to tell you,” said this spirit 
to me, “that I always said I NEVER DID ANY HARM IN 
THE WORLD, BUT I COULD DO NO GOOD” (She did: 
said Kitty: those were her very words) “I worried continually 
because I could not do more good; but I was left with children 
to look after, and it took all my strength. But if I deserve this 
blessing OF GOD’S TODAY, I DO NOT KNOW. HELP 
ME SAVE THE GIRL KITTY HAS RAISED FROM 
TAKING THE VEIL: SHE IS ABOUT TO ENTER A 
CONVENT, AND SHE IS NOT CALLED FOR IT AT 
ALL. She has not the education' that would place her among 
the Sisters of her kind, and she would have to work so hard, 
I see: and I want to tell her so. I want to tell her that what 
has happened to Her HAPPENS TO OTHERS, AND THAT 
IT IS NOT SO BAD BUT IT MIGHT BE WORSE. I WANT 
TO TELL KIT THAT SHE IS TO TAKE THIS GIRL 
AWAY, STAND BY HER, AND THEN LET HER SWIM 
FOR HERSELF. To prove that I am Mother, tell the child 
how she used to make up faces, horrible faces, until I HAD TO 
PUNISH HER, WHEN A CHILD, TO BREAK HER OF 
THIS HABIT.” 

All of which was admitted true by Kitty, understood, and 
as I continued there throughout the whole meal this Mother 
continued to advise, and give new proof, to her child, giving 
the most sacred, intimate, religious advice, proved beyond doubt 
that she was accompanying her child in the body, knew all that 
was transpiring in life to her, and hers. 


Evidential Proof : Oct. 25th, 1923. 

Kilcullen, Mrs. My neighbor. 

Mrs. Kilcullen is a Catholic. Speaking with her at the. gate 
of our house, regarding spirits, a voice said to me, “She is a 
medium herself.” The first thing done for her from the spirit 
world, then, was to verify this. She has seen her Grandmother’s 
spirit by her side, just eight weeks after her death. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


339 


A grandmother described herself, and was recognized, even 
to the lines between her eyes, and the grief which caused these: 
a son was a wanderer from home. This Grandmother said, “You 
remember my gray shawl with the black striped border, with 
fringe so long? I sat in the kitchen with this around me and 
refused to go to bed, as I sat all doubled over, so? I—choked 
to death. You recall how I stewed figs in the little saucepan 
(Here the spirit took me into the kitchen where she had done 
this, described the stove, doors, etc.) The spirit said, “The one 
I mourned so is here with me. This grandfather was then de¬ 
scribed in full. The spirit continued: You recall my PANSY 
ENAMELLED PIN? AND YOU HAVE MY SPOOL 
BASKET, AND KEEP YOUR THREAD IN IT.” (All ad¬ 
mitted true by Mrs. Kilcullen). “I stand there when you pull 
on his hair, so—and I hear you, and see you. I would like to 
say the Boy is here with me, too: the one whom I used to say 
was too fine for this world, so the angels took him. He is here 
with me. And I should like to reach with a message the Aunt 
in the body of yours on whom I relied while in my body. (Rec¬ 
ognized.) I want to give in symbol for yourself something else. 
And this was given and understood. Help was advised for the 
girl in trouble, etc. And affairs of a deep nature were discussed, 
all private, and recognized. “Who used to always have a small 
bag of old-fashioned round black licorice drops?” said this spirit. 
“Why Grandmother did,” said Mrs. Kilcullen. She loved them. 
“You have the old brown leather album, and I will describe all 
those pictures for you some day,” said the spirit Grandmother. 
(Admitted true.) “I stood outside my body, beside your Grand¬ 
father, while my body was still breathing it seemed to me: for 
I could not realize I was dead. I heard you wondering if I were 
conscious of such suffering. The last I saw of you with my 
body eyes you were kneeling at the head of my bed, weeping 
on my" hand which you held.” “Absolutely true,” said Mrs. 
Kilcullen. 


HURLBURT. Evidential Proof. 

“The boy has been poisoned,—” said a spirit: the trouble is 
intestinal. I "made you give that oil, I was able to reach you and 
tell you to give it: “And the Mother of Mr. Hurlburt proved 



340 


MY Proof of Immortality 


she gave this, and more, regarding an illness of a son in Niles, 
Ohio, when she said, “I used to call you “Billy Boy.” Acknowl¬ 
edged true by Mr. Hurlburt. A man friend in spirit then told 
of new lines in the business just taken on, at Niles, and discussed 
the files at the Plant there, and the Mexico orders. All under¬ 
stood by Mr. Hurlburt. 

DYMOCK: Mother and daughter. The Mother in spirit, 
said to prove I am here I saw that doctor bill, and I wanted to 
cut it in half: it was too much. And the spirit then described 
the medicine she used to take, and the containers, all recognized 
by the callers. 


Evidential Proof —Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Oct. 26, 27, 28, 
1923. 

Mrs. Kilcullen, neighbor: Second sitting. 

Miss Louise Hauschild, Mrs. Winter Garrett, Mrs. Bertha 
Merwin, Mrs. Helen Hayes. 

Kilcullen: Oct. 30th. “This one’s Grandmother said to her 
this evening here: “I saw you at home when you held up that 
coat and wondered to whom you could give it.” (Acknowledged.) 
“Who used to like cocoanut macaroons?” “I did,” said Mrs. 
Gullen. And the father of her husband came from spirit and 
sent his son a message regarding his work, a financial message, 
understood by this neighbor at once. This spirit said, “Tell my 
son he won’t have to pull me up, or haul me down, to get in 
touch with me, that I am right here tonight.” “I would sooner 
see him turn that opportunity down, and play a lone hand, tell 
him.” “That extra money is for dishonest methods and he wants 
to keep a clean sheet, he can’t tear out a single page, tell him.” 
(Understood by his wife, Mrs. Kilcullen, as regarding a business 
offer.) “I see you feed medicine on lumps of sugar,” said this 
spirit. (“I do that,” said Mrs. K.) 

Miss Hauschild was present when the spirits of Mrs. Garrett 
and Mrs. Merwin proved themselves over and over again. The 
Mother of Mrs. Merwin came in with her hands filled with letters, 
stamped letters, she said: “Postmistress.” (She was, said Mrs. 
Merwin. In Kentucky.) Mrs. Merwin’s Mother described her¬ 
self, her dresses, the fashion of sleeves, etc., the manner of speak- 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


341 


ing, what she said, the way she gestured when emphatic, stamping 
the floor with one foot,—her hands were then described, her 
work at her desk, and the sympathetic moods of this woman when 
a girl, how she used to find this Mother with her head down 
on her arm at her desk, when she would creep up and place an 
arm about this Mother and ask “Who hurt you, Mother?” (All 
recognized by Mrs. Merwin and acknowledged true.) The habits, 
then, of this woman as when a school girl, the field where she 
used to gather daisies and buttercups for her Mother described, 
and how this spirit used to say, “Run along now, run along.” 
Recognized as true. This Mother then told this daughter in the 
body that she had appeared to her by her bedside, and had been 
recognized, and that she could reach her without help if she 
would make it plain she would not be astonished. This was ad¬ 
mitted by Mrs. Merwin, that she had seen her Mother by her 
bedside. This Mother in spirit then described another daughter’s 
family, life, etc., and gave proof for half an hour as fast as I 
could speak that she was Mother and was there, came with 
Bertha, and had never died. As everything is now always recog¬ 
nized at once, as I give it out from spirit voice, these are the last 
messages ever to be recorded by me. 

Mrs. Kilcullen’s Grandmother, who raised her, is with her, 
and proves it. “I see you with your arm about him, so, when 
you take a strand of his hair, and pull it, so, while you are 
talking to him. (I always do that, said Mrs. Kilcullen. “I used 
to hold my hand so, while I spoke,” and the spirit showed me how 
she placed the tips of her fingers together. (She did that, said 
this Granddaughter.) “And you recall how I used to play with 
my handkerchief, and bite the corner of it. So? (Oh yes, said 
Mrs. Kilcullen, I do indeed.) And the motive for bringing this 
young woman was gone into, and she told how she had always 
been with her since she passed out, and always would be with 
her.” There is much else in all the proof, but hereon we aim 
to write only such evidence as is not of too private a nature. 
Such things as are given of proof, and, as are on file with the 
TORCH PRESS, INC., can be seen by those owning the papers 
in this case. 

It seems as though Mrs. Hayes’ parents and sister could 
not recall anything new, for, like Miss Hauschild, they have lived 
with Helen Hayes, while she has been with me so much. But 


342 


MY Proof of Immortality 


there is ever some new proof: and this is always given, and is 
required by my spirits in charge, before the spirits of strangers 
can speak they must be identified absolutely. Proof is furnished 
and recalled and given until all are positive the dead live, are 
here, are themselves, and no other. 

Sarah Shatford. 


Kilcullen, Mr. Monday Evening, Nov. 5th, 1923. New York 

City. At the Apt. of the Kilcullens. 

The first spirit came to my side showing me the little curls 
about her face, the natural wisps which turned into curls, she 
said. Passing over to where Mrs. Kilcullen sat, this spirit said: 
“I wish to say to Her that if she would sleep without pillows 
she would sleep better, as it keeps her head too hot where she 
was operated on. She wonders why she does not sleep, and I 
just wanted to tell her.” This spirit was her Grandmother, who 
has given her many wonderful evidences that she is here, and 
still able to care for her. This also was acknowledged by Mrs. 
Kilcullen. When this spirit said, “I mean his arm, too;” they 
both laughed, and understood. 

The spirit of a tall man stood before Mr. Kilcullen, some¬ 
what stooped in shoulders. This spirit said to me (Sarah Shat¬ 
ford), “I used to mark down on paper the trifles I was told to 
remember. I carried this in my vest pocket on the right side. 
Tonight I have done the same. Here is the list of things I have 
recalled of the old days for my son. He used to call me Pa, 
sometimes Pop. I used to call him Boy. My son will recognize 
me at once when I mention THE OLD RED LEATHER 
MULES I wore with my bath robe, which tied with tassels, which 
I would use to go to the bathroom long after I was told to lie 
in bed. My beard I let go when I could no longer shave this 
myself. My hair grew long on top, was thin, and his Mother 
used to comb it and remark on its fine texture. I stood by, 
alive, when they thought me dead, and heard them dividing my 
books, and trifles. THE BOOKS BOUND IN YELLOW CALF 
WHICPI I USED TO PICK OUT OF THEIR SHELVES 
WITH MY FIRST FINGER, SO: (showing me just the way 
he did this). My watch chain was of double links (and the 
spirit showed me this, as he described it to his son) saying: “I 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


343 


used to take out the bar of this chain, when I was undressing 
for bed, and sit talking, twirling it in my hand, so: (showing 
me how he did this). “I was raised a Catholic, ever since I 
was so high (two feet or so) and I raised mine Catholic as well. 
My eyeglasses were of several kinds, because I had a habit of 
throwing them, so, on their cord, when I had finished with them, 
breaking many lenses because of this habit. This pair has steel 
frames. I attended mass regularly all my life. I wept easily. 
When I used to come in from mass and get a fresh handkerchief, 
your Mother used to say she knew who preached the sermon. 
There was one Priest who made us weep with his eloquence. 
I want to say that I know how you have helped them up State, 
how you have kept your feet, too, and I want to commend you, 
my Boy, for all you have done for me. One thing more is all 
I need add for him to know I am myself. The Mother who 
bore him was God’s best blessing in my life, but I did not appre¬ 
ciate this until too late and I want to tell him that she has for¬ 
given me and is with me here, and will speak for herself tonight. 
It is to help him decide a business venture that we were so per¬ 
sistent as to bring you here tonight.” As Mr. Kilcullen recog¬ 
nized all the above, and recognized his own Father and admitted 
it all true, as brought out by this spirit for him, the Father who 
had recalled the past to prove himself then took up the life mat¬ 
ters of this son in the body, going into his offices, describing the 
men there, and all the ends of the business, one by one, as the 
son understood, acknowledged that he did. The rest of this 
Father’s speaking to his son was of a private nature, of material 
things, some of it given in symbol so that only the son could 
understand it, all of which was understood by the son. 

Mr. Kilcullen’s Mother in spirit then stepped before me, 
described herself and her shawl in which she sat at last, the 
habit of taking out her side comb and replacing it often as she 
was speaking. This Mother’s spirit then said: “He was my 
impulsive son, so dear to me: he used to rush home from school 
hungry and beg for bread with brown sugar on it, and I would 
give him this, he will remember. How he used to put his arms 
about my neck and bury his little face in my neck, as I sat 
sewing on that silk quilt made of bright pieces, he will remember 
it. Grandmother lived with us, and is here with us. She who 
was so gentle, and so fine, never raising her voice, but always 


344 


MY Proof of Immortality 


soft spoken. She carved at the table, and it was delightful to 
look on the picture when the family was all present. The sister, 
up state, I am there as well as here.” And the balance of this 
Mother's speech was for her son's help, and was given as fast 
as I could talk, and all acknowledged and understood by Mr. 
Kilcullen. Then, a spirit made a cross on my forehead. A nun 
stepped to my side in spirit. As I described her, her spectacles, 
her size, round face, cheerful nature, she said, “The boy, about 
fourteen, is here with me. We are all here together. The two 

children of your Mother’s who passed out, they are here with 

us, too. You need rest, nerves need rest. Try more sleep. Spine 
needs attention. Electric battery is good for you. I want to 
say this: Let that smoke go up the chimney in that home, where, 
if they had built the fires properly, it would not have had to go 

out the windows. And do not worry about that, for there will 

be a Christmas wreath there, and here too.” This was all under¬ 
stood by both Mr. and Mrs. Kilcullen. It took about two hours 
to give all that was given, and this is only a remnant of proof, 
filed for the purpose of proving that all the dead (spirits) want, 
or need, is just a chance to prove themselves alive, able to recall 
the past in every detail, and make themselves known. “That was 
all right,” said this young business man. “That is the first time 
I ever saw anything like that done.” 


Some principal messages which are proof absolute which I recall 
of the evidence given the attached sitters, all strangers to me: 

(1) Linsley: Foreign born: shown Alpine stick, climbing 
costume: shown the family album, which leaves were turned one 
at a time describing the relatives in spirit, their appearances and 
clothes. A Military gentleman (Austrian) : Mother in velvet with 
point-lace collar, sealskin dolman with wide sleeves: the family 
carriage and coachman described: a tall blonde young lady having 
a wee baby in long clothes (name called also) relevant message 
understood. This man’s trade, tools described: his affiliation with 
a selfish partner, etc. 

(6) Hraba: First her Grandfather, father of her Mother, 
who had been in spirit only eleven weeks, described himself, his 
ailment, her home, called “Lena” her Mother’s name, his child, 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


345 


clothes he wore from a slouch hat and crook cane to his overalls 
and red calico handkerchief,—messages for the family re. prop¬ 
erty, describing his own home, his wife, his two daughters, his 
son “Frank,” and actual conditions prevailing therein. 

(1) Fister: Mother of the above woman. This same old 
man came to his daughter with all kinds of proof. Told her 
how he had seen her weep over his photograph only the other 
day, which she took from a bookcase, was a photo of himself 
when he was younger. Said he saw her wipe her eyes on her 
gingham apron and had stood by all that time alive. He described 
“a glass” he carried in his vest pocket. (I put my hand to my 
left side and this spirit said, “You have the wrong side.” I saw 
this round glass, thought it was a mirror: The spirit said, No: 
it had a handle.” This was true: it was a magnifying glass which 
he always carried in the right pocket of his vest. He told of her 
gift of a dressing-gown “with a cord and tassels” “to wear when 
he sat on the porch.” He described his land: his occupation, 
wagons, and finally showed me a thumb of the left hand, the 
end of which was missing, and a machine with a cleaver which 
fell on it. All of which was acknowledged true. He told Mrs. 
Hraba, his granddaughter, of the place where she had lunched 
that noon, the spaghetti she wound about her fork, the “tin 
spoons” which set the table. All of which was true, showing 
he had been with her at that hour and place. Sister of Mr. F.— 
Josephine—told she choked to death. Described herself. Mr. F. 
would not take a message and this was given volens-nolens to 
him and sent through his wife. Correct. His name was called, 
too, by this sister FRANK. 

(1) “Louise”: Servant in the Fister home, Beechhurst, L. I. 

After giving several hours of the above messages I was 
requested to permit the servant to come in as she was in great 
trouble. I missed my nine o’clock train into the City in order 
to see this one “Louise.” Her Mother was first to describe 
herself perfectly, alluding to the one who absconded, leaving her 
with a child to support. Gave a Mother’s advice re. this, her 
work, her religion, etc. Aunt May gave her name and told that 
she had short curls. Told that she was this one’s Mother’s 
sister. Next a Priest in robes, also shown in clerical collar and 
black cravat, iron gray hair. This one advised her as to how 
she should tell the Priest of the parish her trouble he would 


346 


MY Proof of Immortality 


make her husband return and support her. Not to go to law as 
advised by her Mother in spirit, but remain faithful to her re¬ 
ligion, and her difficulties would be settled: to give her husband 
another chance. All true and recognized. The Priest was the 
brother of her husband, in spirit only Two months. 


Evidential Proof : Friday evening, Dec. 14th, 1923. 

LARSEN, MRS. Lottie : (see other messages on file) 

Mrs. Larsen and Helen Hayes, Norwegians, friends, were 
here to dinner. After dinner I said to Mrs. Larsen: “As I was 
serving the chicken dumplings a spirit said to me: ‘There is a 
Mother here whose favorite dish was chicken dumplings.’ 
Later, this same spirit said, ‘Tell her Papa and I want her to 
know we approve of her plan re. the business, and speak for us, 
please.’ ” “THAT WAS MY MOTHER’S FAVORITE DIN¬ 
NER,” said Mrs. Larsen. 

This spirit Mother said: “Do you girls remember HOW 
YOU USED TO LAUGH AND CARRY ON IN THE 
DINING ROOM WHILE AT MEALS IN OUR HOUSE?” 
“Didn’t we: I guess”: said both. “My girl will remember 
Mother’s DpUGH BAKED IN ROUND RINGS: SO LARGE.” 
“I do, yes, indeed,” said Mrs. Larsen. This spirit Mother then 
described herself, and was recognized as the Mother of Mrs. 
Larsen. Affairs were gone into of another home, of relations 
I have not seen, and do not know of their affairs, which were 
all told and recognized by Mrs. Larsen, and Mrs. Hayes. 

“Father is with Mother here tonight,” said a spirit. “She 
knows how I used to try and help and would take the broom and 
sweep off the verandah.” “Yes, I know you did that,” said his 
daughter before me. “And she knows my old carpet slippers 
I USED TO WEAR, AND HOW SHE WANTED TO BUY 
ME BETTER ONES AND HOW I FUSSED BECAUSE I 
WANTED CARPET SLIPPERS JUST LIKE I ALWAYS 
WORE.” “That is great,” said Mrs. Larsen: we couldn’t make 
him wear anything else, and we tried hard enough.” Continuing, 
this same spirit said: “She knows HOW I USED TO PUT MY 
HAND UP TO EMPHASIZE MY WORDS, so: over my head: 
when I would say: “AS SURE AS THERE’S A GOD IN 
HEAVEN.” “I certainly do,” said his daughter before me. 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


34 7 


After this proof that Mrs. Larsen’s father was with her, 
he gave instructions re. matters at law, and her health, etc. 

HAYES: Helen (See other papers of proof for this same). 

"There is a Mother here who suffered so WITH AN EYE 
TOOTH ON THE LEFT SIDE: AND HAD TO HAVE HOT 
SALT BAGS ON TO EASE THE PAIN.” "I RECALL THE 
TIME SHE AND HER SISTER WORE MAY WREATHS 
AND DANCED”: "That is my Mother,” said Mrs. Hayes. 

The Spirit said, "I only want her to know I am here, and 
HOW SHE HAS BEEN TAKING TOO MANY LATE SUP¬ 
PERS, AND I WANT HER TO RETIRE EARLIER TO¬ 
NIGHT.” "That is true, I haven’t BEEN IN BED A SINGLE 
NIGHT UNTIL ONE O’CLOCK SINCE Thanksgiving Day,” 
said Mrs. Hayes. These parents, alive, WITH their children, 
were so happy, so jovial, helpful, proving by their advice given 
that they are present with them both at business and at home, 
and know all that is transpiring with other members of their 
families, mentioned in these interviews, described, etc. 

"Which brother does she mean, I wonder,” said Mrs. Hayes 
tonight once. Immediately this spirit Mother said: "The one 
with the PALE FACE: THERE IS SOON TO BE SICKNESS 
IN HIS HOME.” ("They are expecting the stork there,” said 
Helen. 


Evidential Proof: Larsen, Mrs. Lottie. (Friend of Helen 
Hayes.) Sunday, July 15th, 1923. 

LARSEN: Mrs. Larsen has been given several sittings and 
was taught by her religion that spirits if they are good cannot 
communicate. So, while she had absolute proof, personalities, 
from her own Mother in spirit, she was still able to think that 
some mind reading must be the process. Therefore, this evening, 
as these two women were visiting me, while at dinner table, a 
spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, "There is a man here who 
used to hold out his boot to this girl and ask her to pull it off.” 
Described the boots he wore, the collar, himself, the black bow 
tie with a rubber loop on it which fastened it to the collar button 
(all recognized). "This is Father,” said the spirit, "and I was 
looking on WHEN YOUR ADDING MACHINE HAD SOME- 



348 


MY Proof of Immortality 


THING WRONG WITH IT AND IT PUT YOU BACK 
WITH YOUR WORK”, (acknowledged) The man with the 
pencil back of his ear (described) at the office (recognized), etc., 
all private information regarding her position. All admitted, 
understood. The spirit of this father then said, “I used to sit 
and read the evening paper and scratch my head,” showing me 
how, which I duplicated for Mrs. Larsen. This was recognized 
with a laugh, so true of him. 

The Mother in spirit then said, “Ask her if she remembers 
the terrible finger, first finger on my right hand, all in bandages ?” 
“Yes, indeed,” said Mrs. Larsen. This spirit Mother then pre¬ 
sented the sleeve of her favorite dress, a black sleeve, made full 
and gathered into a band at the wrist, this black being studded 
with a small white polka dot. “This, too, was recognized at once 
by Mrs. Larsen. This spirit Mother then said, “I used to wear 
white aprons when I dressed up.” And, showing me these aprons, 
I described them to her daughter, Mrs. Larsen, and they were 
recognized also. The Mother then described herself, her person, 
her manner, her habits, all recognized by this daughter in the 
body. When much private advice was given her, all compre¬ 
hended by this fine woman, staunch and true. 

Some others presented themselves from spirit, recognized by 
Mrs. Larsen this same evening. As well as Mrs. Llayes, who 
knew her Father and Mother, as some of the others, while they 
were in the body. Both these fine women are Norwegians. Both 
hold fine positions in the business world. Mrs. Larsen has just 
bought her own Dodge sedan. Mrs. Hayes has just filled her 
employer’s place, when she went to France, of the Dev. Com. for 
the American Bank Note Co. 

The trouble is, while notes are made here of a few proofs 
only the “dead” themselves could give, the best evidence is lost 
to the public, owing to the private nature of such, which- could 
not be passed on. The trite proofs are in themselves miracles. 
Who could know except these of all here acknowledged as true. 
But I must lose for the spirit work, as the spirits themselves, the 
best, which cannot be given out, but which convinced for all time 
this woman against her will, that her own Mother and Father 
are here, are not far off, nor dead at all. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 349 

Evidential Proof: Wednesday evening: Sept. 11th, 1923. New 
York City. 

Mrs. Lottie Larsen: Friend of Mrs. Hayes. 

Mrs. Larsen has been given many messages of proof from 
hers in spirit, but is a Lutheran and cannot accept the truth, 
evidently. Just the same hers kept on trying to reach her. 
This evening a spirit said to me, “There is a Mother here who 
just loved a fur sleeve, she stroked it, always said, “Oh, I do 
so love fur. And I always had a dress with velvet ribbons in 
three widths on it, so wide (showing me) and then narrower, 
then, so narrow. (“That must be Mother,”) said Mrs. Larsen. 
“I recognize both of these.” “Father is here, too,” said this spirit. 
“He used to stand so (with his thumbs in his vest armholes.” 
(“He said,” said Mrs. Larsen.) These gave abundant proof fur¬ 
ther, as well as messages of helpfulness. I record this only to 
show how persistent the “dead” are if they are doubted. Throw¬ 
ing a kiss to Helen Hayes, this spirit Mother said, “Who used 
to hold out her arms to you, SO, and Say COME KISS ME, 
NELLIE.” Why that is your Mother, Lottie, for I never went 
in your house that she did not do that and say that, exactly. 
And you know she always called me NELLIE.” I continued to 
give messages for those two spirits for an hour to their daughter 
in body, all recognized by her, her own legal matters being de¬ 
scribed, etc., etc., all plain to her, and her friend, Mrs. Hayes. 
So, whether folks “want” theirs who have “died” to speak and 
prove themselves alive, some have this miracle performed for 
them, being worthy of it, I believe, even though doubters. 

Sarah Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: April 20th, 1922. New York City. 

Miss Florence Mayers: Secy, for David Bispham. 

On my way to the Library a few days ago this woman 
walked in front of me. I never saw her before and did not 
know her name,—but called to her “Your sash is dragging on the 
ground.” She turned about and smiled, said that was the way 
it was made. Oh, said I, that suits me if it suits you. When 
we both laughed, and walking to the comer together we spoke 
of the books I carried in my arm. While I spoke of the wonder¬ 
ful sermons in Fabre’s Books (Henri Fabre)—I mentioned I was 



350 


MY Proof of Immortality 


a spiritualist. She replied, “I am interested in it, myself. Do 
you know of a good medium? Yes, said I,—and I gave her Mr. 
John Hill’s address. I told her of my experience. She said 
she was a Catholic. She followed me into the Library and asked 
me to talk to her for awhile. Being busy, I did not offer to give 
her messages, and I got none for her: I have been overworked, 
and was given a time to rest up, and read awhile. She went on, 
and I did too, as we do in New York, never meeting the same 
folks often. 

Four nights after this conversation I was on my way home 
from supper, and near the Hotel entrance, when this same young 
woman greeted me and I could not recall her. She said, “Why 
don’t you remember we talked of Spiritualism in the Library?” 
“Oh, yes,” said I. When she said, “It seems funny that I should 
see you, for I came around here hoping I would run into you 
again. I went to Mr. Hills this afternoon.” “Did you find him 
all I said?” I asked her. “I got some things there, but went over 
to Vivian Clarks, and she gave me a very good public message, 
said she. “Well,” said I, if you came hunting me, I guess you 
must need me: I never go out late like this for food, eat very 
early, but was> busy and could not get out. So come along if 
you like.” 

This woman sat down in my room, and we knew no more 
than we say here. She said, “I am very greatly worried just 
now.” “Don’t tell me,” said I: “for they will tell you.” 

The spirit of a man stood forth at my side, described himself, 
his florid face, hair, clothes, hands, and then took me into a 
Studio, describing it in full, showing it to me, in fact, the grand 
piano, the bench before it, the black fur rug underneath the bench, 
the Music Cabinet, the two windows, filing cabinet in the corner, 
the typewriter between the windows, and he then picked up the 
ink-well and flung it through the door. He then got out from 
a shelf two large books, tied them up, showed me the engraving 
covering whole pages therein,—and put them under her arm. 

He began with his left hand to run the base scales, con¬ 
tinuing for some time, then he sang (and I heard him) “Rocked 
In The Cradle Of The Deep.” D-e-e- P (said he, over again, 
D-e-e—P). This spirit then told he was accompanied by his Son 
who was a soldier who passed out across the sea, and referred 
to this son as his “crutch.” He said, “ I cannot stand up with- 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


351 


out him here. I want you to help me, I want you to write this 
to her, every word. I came out here to find every scale must 
balance true to duty. I find the hand must tremble which holds 
the scale, for every scale is unsteady in its true balance here. 
Now help me, as you did, when you heard me recite my parts: 
(and he showed me himself standing before this young woman 
reciting while she held a book). He told her how he had bent 
his head down on his hand on his desk in that room showed me, 
and how she had come over to his shoulder and offered him 
sympathy. He showed me how he put on his slouch hat and 
paused before going out the door throwing this woman a kiss 
on two fingers of his right hand. He went into the affairs of 
his life: told how he wanted to reach the one he had wronged, 
the one he called “Mama”: who wore the wedding ring: tall: 
he told how he left home, said this woman wanted everything 
“painted in moonlight” while he had to get out in the Sun and 
turn things out with his hands. He described the blue hangings 
and furniture in this wife’s room, where she could be found, 
told how he went away from her, and that both were artists, 
and temperamental. That another had offered him sympathy 
which he accepted. Said what I signed my name to on those 
papers I shall have to work out here. But the rest you can help 
me to do, by writing her every word of this and taking her to 
a wire where I can reach her. She will read it all with her 
lorgnon,” he said, and made the gesture. He said “She wants the 
piano, and she should have it: there is one of her songs set to 
music in my rack, give that too, I sang it. Tell her I will not 
be content until she joins us, the small link here of ours and me.” 

Miss Mayers said: “Why do you know what he asks me to 
do? That will be dreadfully hard, for me to do.” This spirit 
then said: “You kneel down and ask for help: that is what you 
always did, and I wish I had. Then don’t fail to tell her, write 
her. She uses a quill. (I don’t know, said Miss Mayers, but all 
the rest is exactly true. He gave me those books, and after he 
died I did not like to take them away, thinking I might be accused 
of taking them. That ink-well I wanted: it is only a common 
one, but I just wanted it because it was his. But is there not a 
message for the other woman, she said ? The spirit said, “She is 
quite capable of taking care of herself: she is coming to spirit 


352 


MY Proof of Immortality 


soon.” “Why, that is what I was given at Mrs. Clark’s this after¬ 
noon,” said Miss Mayer. Then,—she asked, “Why I can’t under¬ 
stand how you can describe all those things, and that Studio,— 
did you ever see me in that studio? Do you know who this is? 
No, said I: and do not tell me, for if you care to come back I do not 
care to know. And she did not tell me who this man was, and 
went without. She did say, there is a court case to be called in 
a day or so-” 

(Newspaper clippings, New York Evening Journal April 
26 and 27, 1922, on file.) The spirit was so powerful, and had 
been so anxious to get those across before this case was called at 
court, that he nearly took my senses, I had to stop, or go into 
a trance,—my head felt like an empty cocoanut shell. Once he 
said, “You keep still and let me talk.” “You are not very much 
a gentleman,” said I. But he had taken this girl to two and then 
had only been given a mite, and—after they left, “De Ko, De Ko, 
brought him.” Musicians, said I, are clannish there, too, I sup¬ 
pose.” DeKoven. This is Bispham. BISPHAM.” Bispham told 
of his Class of Young men who sang, and how he loved to teach 

these,-All of this testimony admitted true by Miss Mayer, 

every single thing. From half past Seven until Eleven-ten: and 
then Miss Mayers said, but I do not want to go, and I cannot 
understand it, it is the most wonderful thing. Do you know my 
Mother and I can send messages to each other? If she is in 
San Francisco and wants me to send her something I get it: 
or down town, or anywhere.”- 

The attitude of mortals, and scientists towards mediumship, 
and miracles, is making me too disgusted to go on with messages 
much longer. The idea of helping the dead to rise, and getting 
nothing but defamation, will cause my mediumship to be lost, 
I fear, for immediately this fine young woman began to search 
for fraud, even to my face. When I did not know for whom 
I was speaking until she left and I was told. She did not tell 
me. I would not permit her to after she asked if I had not seen 
her inside this man’s Studio? It is so useless, miracles seem not 
for this age. 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


353 


Friday, May 5th, 1922, New York City. 
EVIDENTIAL PROOF: 

Miss Florence Mayers, Secy, of the late David Bispham, 
brought her Mother a few evenings since, and made an appoint¬ 
ment for me to call at their home, 135 West 81st. St. on Friday 
A. M. at Ten, when her sister and her sister’s husband (Mr. 
Huffling, Composer) would be waiting. These are good Cath¬ 
olics, and the proof given through me for David Bispham for 
this young woman was so overpowering as to be beyond their 
belief that I had not seen her, or been in the Studio of Bispham. 
I therefore consented to go to their home, which I never do. 
First, the Composer husband of a daughter of Mrs. Mayers. 
A young, talented, successful, rising Artist. His material prob¬ 
lems were solved for him by a dear woman who described her¬ 
self, with her black fan, and described this man when a boy 
with his brother, their clothes, and playthings, and their Sunday 
school habits. All his problems, of music and travel, contracts, 
friendships, private drawbacks, etc., explained by this spirit, 
and advice given. All understood, and acknowledged by him. 
The spirit referred to a daughter in body she wished to reach, 
this also understood, as she referred to her problem. 

The wife of this Composer was next: all the intimate things 
of life, too sacred to record here, were gone into and explained: 
all understood. 

Miss Florence, then was warned, advised, instructed and her 
own problems adjusted. All understood. 

Mrs. Mayers was last. First a Priest stood at my side, de¬ 
scribed himself minutely. Told how he had taken Mrs. Mayers 
to another Church and why, and that he went along. Her friends 
in spirit, women described themselves, clothes, habits, gave names, 
told of peculiarities,—some used to live with Mrs. Mayers and 
were of a different religion,—etc. All recognized. 

Then Mrs. Mayers’ husband in spirit described himself, his 
keepsakes, watch and chain, how he had a brother in flesh who 
carried a grip and went out and in and was with him, told how 
he had been present since he died, proved it by description of 
papers, finances, and then referred to the fun-making things of 
life when he was in body, recalling much that caused both tears 
and laughter from this wife in body. 

Mrs. Mayers’ mother in spirit then proved she was present 


354 


MY Proof of Immortality 


and gave as proof the following: “Do you recall how opposed 
your father was to your marrying your first suitor? How he 
did put his foot down, so!” And she made me stamp my own 
foot. “Indeed, I do,” said Mrs. Mayers. 

This entire half day was spent for these. When leaving, 
Mrs. Mayers said, “I was always skeptical, but never could be 
now. So much you said no one else could know but the dead 
themselves.” 


Evidential Proof: Good-Friday, 1923. 

MAYNARD, Mrs. G. V. N. Y. C. 

Sitting in Mrs. Maynard’s home, on this day, a spirit said 
to me: “There is one here who walked WITH God. Wore a 
stole. Marched after the procession of choir boys. (This spirit 
then described himself, in full.) He told of the part she took in 
Sunday School teaching: her different classes. He spoke very 
reverently of the past, and said, “Your Mother is with me, 
today, and Charlotte,” “And the tall one WE CALLED 
‘SANDY,’ who WORE A COWL, WAS A STRAWBERRY 
BLONDE, ALWAYS WITH ME, HE IS HERE WITH ME 
ALSO.” 

Mrs. Maynard said, dramatically, “IT’S Pa-Pa! That’s Pa- 
Pa!” Mrs. Maynard was Mary Ewar, and this Father was 
Cannon Ewar, of New York City. She said, “That Sandy was 
one who studied for the Priesthood, and gave it up: he was 
always with my Father.” 

Mrs. Maynard’s Mother, in spirit, described herself, gave 
evidence most sacred, and confidential, that it was Mother by 
describing her home, the past, her trinkets, etc. After which 
the sister of Mrs. Maynard, in spirit, described a box of hers, 
now in the possession of Mrs. Maynard, told of how she went 
away, married and went to a foreign shore, and passed out there, 
—and gave most remarkable proof that she was living, and able. 
She came in with an Artist’s palette and brushes: told how she 
loved to paint certain things, describing them,—she told how her 
dimpled shoulders and elbows were admired, she spoke of sacred 
things of the past. All recognized by the sister in a body before 
me. 

When I had finished, Mrs. Maynard said, “Why I can get 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


355 


you that box she described and show it you.” “Never mind,” I 
said. “I know it is all true: You need not. I saw your Sister, 
and her dimples, and her work, her canvases, and all she spoke 
about.” 

Mrs. Maynard said: “This is Good-Friday, Mrs. Shatford. Is 
it not strange that you should call today and find me home: I 
invariably spend the whole day in Church, but I have been so 
ill I could not accompany Mr. Maynard today, and he went alone, 
and is there now, while I am here, not alone, but getting this 
wonderful message.” 

As Mrs. Maynard had refused to take messages from the 
so-called dead, always, I had no thought of pressing one upon 
her this day, but called having heard she was ill. 


MacGregor. 

First, in a sitting of four, including Mrs. Bingham,. Mrs. 
Zollner, Mrs. Griffin and Mr. MacGregor, the father of this man 
described himself, and spoke re. business, land, investments, 
finances. All of which was understood. Then a woman in white 
stood with her arm around his shoulder (they told me this, I 
did not see) and wished to speak regarding the children. As I 
never .saw or heard of this man until he was brought into the 
room it is good evidence. He is a widower, and the children 
are his, two little girls. He was given a name I do not recall, 
which he understood. 

Second: A sitting was requested for Sunday evening and I 
went to the house of Mrs. Elliot for this. His father spoke first 
re. his wife, the Mother of this man: told where she was living, 
described his land he had provided. Recognized. “But tell me 
where this land is that is shaped like Texas and raises everything 
but oranges?” (the spirit’s words) I heard “Albany, but NOT 
Albany, then they gave me a signal, a moving hand. I said, “It 
is either this side or the other side of Albany.” That is correct 
said Mr. MacGregor. Then the wife in spirit came with great 
emotion, told how she passed out, lungs, throat choked up (pneu¬ 
monia) described how she had been alone, he was not with her 
at the time, described herself, described her children, one of 
them afflicted, and this affliction described (a blind eye, and 
speech impediment). She gave advice as to the tutelage of this 



356 


MY Proof of Immortality 


child, the care, the person described she wished to give this care, 
(an English governess) how she wished them to be dressed, the 
small luxuries provided when small and her keepsakes saved until 
they should be older,—The nature of the second girl was de¬ 
scribed, and she told that this one took after her father, told 
how she should be guarded, helped, etc. ALL of which was true 
and perfectly understood by this man. 

Next, his brother, six feet two, with a brown mustache, 
described their boyhood home, their father’s farm, from the 
horse stalls and lambs which followed them, to the potato bugs 
and the Paris green which was mixed in an old kettle. He called 
the names of living people connected with that farm, Susan was 

one, and old - (can’t recall, but the sitter knew) then he 

asked him if he recalled the skating on ice, you slipped and there 
was a gash which should have been sewed up, it left a scar,” that 
is true, said Mr. MacGregor, that is my brother. The harness on 
pegs was shown to me, also the copper rims of farm wagons, 
true they were there, said this man. 

Then he described the City house of a man called Harold. 
Also the conditions therein. The stairs and the red velvet car¬ 
pet were described, and his finances. This was recognized by 
the description, and the name was correct. There was much 
more I do not recall, but all of which was great fun for the 
sitter as this one joked about their boyhood days, and proved 
that he was there in person. 


Evidential Proof: Mrs. Jennie McClatchey. N. Y. C. Feb. 1923. 

and her two guests, all given in the presence of Miss Alta 

Baumgardner, of Toledo, Ohio. 

Mrs. McClatchey’s Mother, Father, Husband, friends, de¬ 
scribed themselves, clothes, gifts, homes, personalities, troubles 
in the family alluded to, trinkets brought to prove they were 
themselves, all recognized. This is the fourth proof we have 
given Mrs. McClatchey. 

Her guest, Elizabeth, and her foster daughter, Elsa, all were 
given messages, helpful and recognized, the dead proving they 
gave the advice each time by describing either themselves or their 
past lives, trinkets, etc. 

To Elizabeth, they said: “But you can’t put money in the 




By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


357 


Bank by staying at home and talking about it.” Why that is 
what was said to me, said Elizabeth. Then this spirit described 
the room, its contents, the lamp, etc., where the spirit heard her 
talk of a position, and had heard this said. 

A spirit described Elsa’s father in body, a cloud hanging 
over him, told that he was blamed for something he was not 
to blame for, and tried to clear up this, which was done to Mrs. 
McC’s satisfaction. 

All were acknowledged, as they spoke, and this took all 
evening, after dinner. All given willingly, and so gratefully 
received. 


Evidential Proof: Thomas J. McGaffney & Louis Haubrich, 

N. Y. C. Representing the Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., New 

York. 

As this is some of the remarkable work done for strangers, 
I list it. These two young men rang my bell one day in Decem¬ 
ber, 1922, just before Xmas, to ask if I would insure my life. I 
invited them in, and as we talked I said I knew I could not last 
much longer, and that I could never die. We laughed over re¬ 
plies, etc., and I told them I could prove to them there was no 
death. Only you, Mr. McGaffney, are Catholic, are you not? 
Yes. Then you will have to get permission from your Father 
Confessor to receive a message, for they have made it a sin to 
take a message from the dead, which you must confess and do 
penance for. Well, said he, I have lots over there and should 
like to hear from them if it were possible.” “Go ask permission,” 
I said, “and come back a week from today.” Just a week passed, 
when these two men returned. 

First the Catholic was given messages. His Father in spirit 
stood before him in Policeman’s uniform, with a medal on his 
coat which he said he received for protecting the Clergy. (True, 
said he). “Do you remember the Collie Dog you used to have 
which would jump so high for a morsel? Yes. Well, this father 
told everything of the past, how his mustache used to have 
icicles on it, and he made all the children kiss him good-by be¬ 
fore he left, how he came in at Twelve A. M. for coffee, 
when he always found Mother up. How Mother (in body) 
missed the old Church where they went together to mass: this 



358 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Mother in body described by this spirit father, how she suffered 
with her back because of her venous trouble: the dining room 
described: how he heard the sister say she would never marry: 
how the young brother desired to become a civil engineer, advice 
on this, his own position, etc. the little daughter in spirit with 
him described too, messages sent to his wife, at home, and so 
much more I do not recall. 

After finishing the spirit’s request, this young man said, I 
would like my father to explain how I can help a certain situa¬ 
tion. At once the spirit said, “If you hold a wax flower to the 
fire it will melt: there is dissatisfaction there.” This boy said “I 
understand, that explains it.” 

Mr. Haubrich: First, an old man in skull cap and frock, 
who had MSS. under his arm “translating in three languages” 
he said. Yes, but that is far back, said the living in body. But 
he is here all the same. Then the father in spirit described 
himself, his fine white hand, which played a violin, said American 
Tobacco”—understood (for he worked for this while in body) 
after which this father laid out a business plan for this Boy of 
his, who had a trade. (Printer plate printer) Next, his Soldier 
brother, who passed out over there, described himself, his tastes, 
wrist watch, his pride in going away for his country, how he 
passed out, was still over there and desired to remain over there, 
etc. Told of a woman here, described her, her habits, wished 
her to take that chance and marry again,—all sorts of intimate 
brotherly messages came from this one. 

Mr. Haubrich called in a week again, and the spirit of his 
father told him he came because he worried that his Mother was 
not with his father in spirit. This Mother then described her¬ 
self, person, clothes, rings, cooking, home, inherited wealth, this 
boy and his talents when small, his present home and its diffi¬ 
culties, gave advice,—then told how she had stood near when, 
after her demise this boy suffered from headaches because of 
grief for this Mother who had passed out, told how she saw his 
head tied up, etc. His father told him, You are back to see if 
Mother is with me. What God gives He never takes away. Be¬ 
come accustomed to the fact that she too is here, see this is her 
slipper, her dress, her pin (brush-work, said the spirit, (all recog¬ 
nized) her heavy ring she would wear even in the dough, for she 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


359 


was superstitious, and would not remove it, etc. This Mother, 
in spirit told of a mole on her cheek, having hairs this boy pulled, 
and wished to pull out, which she refused to permit. Recog¬ 
nized by Mr. Haubrich. All recognized, and spoken highly of to 
Miss Hauschild and Mr. Wm. Schilling, by Mr. Haubrich. 


Evidential Proof: Nov. 13th, 1923. 

Mrs. Horace Merwin , Miss Hurd, and Miss- 

Miss - was chosen first. A father in spirit told her 

of her wish to develop along spiritual lines, counseling her wisely 
of rushing into a state of mind while so youthful which would 
bar her from her own kind in the body. This was done as a 
father would speak to his daughter, the methods which she had 
followed being gone into and criticized, after which this father 
in spirit told why he gave this advice to leave spirits alone: she 
was too young to meddle with seances, dark circles, etc. This 
spirit told this child (about seventeen or so) how she had prayed 
to see him, and wept so while she prayed, and he had stood by 
the bedside, heard her pray thus, describing the bed, its position 
in the room, and the ROW OF SHOES UNDER THE FOOT 
OF THE BED, telling which way the foot pointed. He told how 
he came to her twice from spirit, presenting himself to her for a 
moment, and that she saw him, and he was satisfied she knew it 
was not a dream. 

All the above was understood by the young woman, and 
acknowledged by her as true. This father in spirit then de¬ 
scribed himself, whiskers, mannerisms, especially in holding a 
cigar, and how he fondled it, twisting it whilst talking,— (ac¬ 
knowledged at once by this daughter) This spirit then said: “1 
heard you wonder if I was still conscious, when they thought I 
was dead. That was when they said I was gone, the bed was 
here, so, and the left part of my face rested, so, on the pillow. 
I STOOD OUT OF MY BODY THERE WHEN YOU 
THOUGHT I WAS GONE/’ (Admitted all true by his daugh¬ 
ter before me.) 

He gave advice regarding her approaching marriage, home, 
her brother in the body, describing the life of the latter, who 
lived away from this City,—sending a message to him by this 
daughter. 





360 


MY Proof of Immortality 


The Grandmother of this girl in spirit then stood before me, 
Sarah Shatford, describing herself, the old home, its porch, bay 
window with the vines over it, the yard, etc. Told how she had 
taught this girl to walk: how she used to say DON’T DO IT, 
IT IS NOT NICE: and said, DO YOU REMEMBER THE 
BOATS’ WHISTLES, THE TUGS?” All was quickly ac¬ 
knowledged by the girl. When a spirit described himself, his 
coat with its otter collar, and his fedora hat, and, taking a ring 
worn by this girl spoke of the past, how he had dreamed of the 
future, and had come quickly over into spirit. This man in 
spirit, and his clothes, were also recognized. As well as his 
words to her. A woman in black silk, wearing a trained gown, 
carrying a coaching parasol, told of her dislike to the water view 
from their home, and said, I ALWAYS WANTED A 
CHANGE, TO GO AWAY FOR A CHANGE OF 
VIEW, and I suffered so with my head, having cold cloths 
on the top of it, as you recall.” All of this was acknowl¬ 
edged, and the spirit gave two names, Katherine, and Florence. 
After which the spirit went into the problem, and conditions 
of this girl’s life, its tempters, offers, refusals, telling what 
she had seen and heard. All acknowledged true, by the daughter 
before me. The rest was all private: her own affairs, too sacred 
to print. But well understood, in the presence of the two other 
ladies, who heard all said, and acknowledged. 

This Grandmother said: “SHE HAS MY ROUND SPOOL 
BASKET: I WEPT EASILY, AND USED MY KERCHIEF 
SO: (showing me how) acknowledged at once as true. The 
spirit who came in black silk wearing a train, and holding it, so, 
said: “She recalls my tiny biscuits, so large, and THE TARTS 
I MADE FOR HER WITH JELLY.” “I do indeed,” said 
this girl before me. 


Miss Hurd: 

“This one has a father in spirit,” said a voice. “I held her 
so, (showing me) and pinched her cheeks so. I came home with 
my arms filled with papers, and a box of those favorite candies 
wrapped in tissue, so long, in my arm with the papers. She 
knows the dial OF MY TIMEPIECE WAS DIFFERENT 
FROM OTHERS, AN OPEN FACE WATCH WHICH I 
HELD SO? AND REMARKED UPON THE WORKS 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


361 


OFTEN.” All recognized by the daughter. “She called me 
Papa. SHE REMEMBERS WHEN ONE OF THE SMALL 
GIRLS DRESSED UP AS A BOY WITH A DRUM? (Yes, 
said the girl) “THAT WAS IN THE PLACE WHERE THE 
OLD PUMP WAS,” said the spirit. “Yes,” said this spirit’s 
daughter. “And the swing under the tree, rope, with a board 
seat.” Yes, remembered. After this, this spirit father went into 
detail regarding debts, property sales, money owed him, two 
properties in New Jersey, the engagement of this daughter, what 
had been said of the man, and the advice given was all under¬ 
stood by the girl. Messages were sent to the wife, the Mother 
of this girl, in body, at home. Who would not believe that he 
could speak to anyone and be heard if she could not hear him 
speak to her. The house, its steps, white front, where he still 
resided, described by the spirit. Told how to manage the fore¬ 
closure and not to permit the sale. All understood perfectly by 
this girl I do not know, never saw until today when she came 
in my home. 

The spirit of this father said to me, Sarah Shatford, “TELL 
HER IF SHE MUST HAVE CHURCH WEDDING TO 
MAKE HOME SWEET FIRST WITH HER MONEY. I 
CAME IN ONE DAY AND THREW DOWN A PACKET 
OF BONDS AND SAID TO HER THESE ARE FOR YOUR 
FUTURE: IT IS A GOOD THING I DID JUST THAT.” 
Acknowledged as true by Miss Hurd. 

This spirit then said, “Most of that talk is gossip regarding 
this young man: don’t take any stock in it, he is just as good as 
others who are blaming him.” (Acknowledged understood) 
This father told this child he lived at home. He came here to 
help her today, and would come back here if she needed help. 
That he had heard the talk of the monument, and to cut it out, 
it made no difference to him whatever, he was here and not there 
anyway. Understood, and admitted true. Much else of a private 
nature came from this spirit, who said there are young folks in 
spirit who could not come in today, but are here with me.” 
Acknowledged by the young woman. 


MERWIN: 

A Mother is here who wore a black straw hat with a band, 
having wide brim, falling over eyes. She used to take it off and 



362 


MY Proof of Immortality 

fling it up, so,—and set to work at correcting a pile of papers, 
in front of her. My daughter here, said this spirit to me, 
Sarah Shatford, remembers MY CARVED IVORY BREAST¬ 
PIN/’ “I do,” said Bertha Merwin. “She remembers how I 
made blackberry jam, too.” Bertha laughed, and said, “I do 
indeed.” “I sorted letters. That was in KENTUCKY.” Ac¬ 
knowledged by Mrs. Merwin, all of the above. Her Mother was 
Postmistress. After this, this Mother in spirit went into detail 
regarding the private life of a sister who was not present (of 
Mrs. Merwin), her home, child, etc. etc., all private and of a 
family nature, all understood. 

All of this woman’s message was gratefully received, com¬ 
prehended, and willingly acknowledged before the two young 
ladies who came with her. It is too sacred to write, but is a 
Mother’s visit to her children, two daughters, with whom she 
spends much of her time, discussing the loans made a young 
man by the husband of one, and the way that was repudiated, 
showing she was familiar with the things which made up their 
lives. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: July 2nd, 1923. 

Mrs. SZYDLOWSKI: widow. Sent by Paula Allen. (Catholic) 

Early in the afternoon the bell rang, and I was dressed for 
the street, going out, but opened the door, saw a woman in deep¬ 
est widow’s weeds, very long veil, and she asked if I were Mrs. 
Shatford. She said, “Mrs. Allen sent me. She told me to say 
that, and it would be all right, you would see me.” I asked her in. 

We sat a moment, as I was refusing to give her messages, 
when I heard a spirit say: “This one IS a medium herself: she 
has seen a spirit: she is a widow, and her husband is with her 
here: she has trouble with the neighbors, they call her names, 
etc. etc.” 

Her husband, in spirit, then described himself: told how he 
had shown her his spirit form while she was at prayer, told how 
she was alarmed so that he never came to her in form again. 
(She acknowledged all the above readily.) 

This spirit Husband, then, brought every proof a human 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


363 


being could bring to identify him. He told her, “Give away my 
opera hat, and silk hat and clothes, to some STRUGGLING 
ARTIST. HE TOLD HOW HE WROTE ON HIS CUFF. 
HOW HE ATE STEWED FIGS, AND CONCORD GRAPES, 
BOTH ORDERED BY THE DOCTOR, HE DESCRIBED 
HOW HE USED TO TWIST HIS CIGAR WHILE SMOK¬ 
ING IT, HIS HAND WAS SHOWN TO ME, HIS WALK¬ 
ING STICK, CLOTHES, HAT, APPEARANCE,—after 
which he told her WHAT SHE CAME FOR: TO LEARN 
ABOUT HER FINANCES. All was recognized, and acknowl¬ 
edged, by this woman, whose “spirit work” was commented upon 
by this Husband in spirit. He gave her advice what to do, and 
what not to do. When she had smilingly recognized him again 
and again, and he had finished, she told me the most remarkable 
happenings, which are recorded in the File, but I must not record 
them here. 

After learning she was a medium, made Mediums of young 
girls, offering to bring these to me,—discussed their wonderful 
work, as clairvoyants,—I presented her with a Copy of “JESUS’ 
TEACHINGS By Shakespeare’s Spirit, for the Priest she told 
me about who sees the dead, holds communion with spirits, brings 
forth the spirits for others, and has the finest Library of Spirit¬ 
ualism in the country, having known this truth, in association 
with spirits for THE LAST THIRTY YEARS. 

Sarah T. Shatford 


Miss Nancy-? (Texas) Residing at same number. Room¬ 

mate of Miss Monteith. Miss Monteith present in their 
room. 

The father of this one in spirit described himself. You look 
like me, he said (true) He described the other two in the family 
at home which she should either join or they join her. Stick 
together, work together, plan together, live together,” he said 
(Very like him, she remarked.) A mother and sister are in 
Texas. 

Then a young Boy said “sister”. A boy in overalls, a small 
skull cap on his head. A broncho, a lasso, a two-wheel cart with 
vegetables and crates of ducks and geese, their heads all sticking 




364 


MY Proof of Immortality 


out the tops of crates loaded on this cart was shown me,—He 
showed me long rows of plants which he separated and planted 
and kept watered with a long hose. (All recognized) He asked 
“What has become of your ambition to be an actress, a singer?” 
She laughed. You bought that diamond solitaire with your 
father’s money,” he said. (True) More which I fail to recall. 


Evidential Proof: Schilling. Mrs. Schilling (J. H.) Wednesday, 

June 6th, 1923. 

Mrs. Schilling’s Mother, in spirit, described herself, her 
clothes, her pocket in her skirt, her spectacles, her shawl, black 
wool, knitted shell pattern, her bobbinet neckpieces with lace on 
them, and the black enameled leaf pin, round, outlined with gold, 
which “you have kept and have”, (all recognized, as we went 
along) 

This spirit Mother said, “I could hold a fish by the tail, 
and tell you its exact weight.” (Correct, said Mrs. Schilling.) 
This spirit then told how she wished to know if she were really 
here, and said, “Why I want to make you laugh: Do you remem¬ 
ber the boy who wanted you, a nice, fine boy, and you would 
not look at him because he could not dance?” “Oh, of course I 
do,” said Mrs. Schilling, to her Mother, able to recall this. 

This spirit said, I see the platter with the Emperor’s flower 
on it, loaded with fried chicken, your favorite, and you only like 
the white meat, and you take two helpings always, and that is 
why you have so much rheumatism, as you cannot walk and help 
it to digest. (Correct, said Mrs. S.) This Mother in spirit then 
told how she knitted blue yam sox, and stuck the knitting needles 
in her hair, knitting so fast while she did not need to look at the 
needles, but looked out the window instead. (All true) She 
then described the long windows in the front room at their home, 
Mrs. S.’s girlhood home, and the “WALNUT CORNICES 
WITH THE GILT LINES ON THEM” in this room. (Recog¬ 
nized) 

The spirit of a young girl carrying her music roll was recog¬ 
nized. A young woman in spirit presented a pansy pin, holding 
it very close to my face. She was not recognized. This spirit 
then said, “Well, you remember my raspberry delaine dress zvith 
the gourd in it, don’t you?” “Yes,—I know now who you are,” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


365 


* said Mrs. Schilling. This spirit told how they would not wear 
hoop skirts, but many petticoats. Said, “Your Mother used to 
count the petticoats on the line,—and say ‘Look at the line of 
petticoats!’ ” (Recognized) The spirit of Mr. Schilling’s father, 
this woman’s husband’s father, then described himself, told of 
the former sayings of his in the family, all of which were recog¬ 
nized by Mrs. Schilling at once. He told of the way the young 
son used to ask him questions he could not answer, and how he 
used to say, “God knows” to this boy. (Recognized) This 
father then gave advice to the son, for her to carry to him, 
regarding his health and so forth. A spirit who “drowned so 
near the shore he wondered since he came over to spirit how he 
ever managed to drown so near land” (was recognized at once 
by Mrs. Schilling) and another spirit, Jacob, told how far the 
peas were up on the Schilling place in New Jersey, and said, 
“You water the vegetables too much, it makes them fragile. So 
high the peas are,” said this spirit. (That is true, said Mrs. 
Schilling.) Well, he said, I’m there all right, and we saw how 
nice you fixed our graves Decoration Day, and we thank you, 
but we are not there any more. (She understood) He said, 
this same spirit, “I STAND BESIDE YOU WHEN THE 
LONG HORNED COW WITH THE BLACK AND WHITE 
FACE TURNS AROUND HER HEAD AND LOOKS AT 
YOU”— (That is remarkable, said Mrs. Schilling, we have that 
cow) Then, this same spirit told of her husband’s health, and 
what he was to avoid. He repeated conversations of her hus¬ 
band to her, exactly, which she said “Mr. Schilling did say that, 
just like he says he did.” 

Many others in spirit were here, and much else was given, 
all acknowledged. But this is all I need to write down. We 
could only keep on for the rest of our life, and fill volumes of 
this proof from the so-called “dead” themselves. But what is the 
use? They are here: prove it themselves, and no one can keep 
them from proving it, either. Over and over and over, as they 
went along with news of life itself, they would prove themselves 
giving it, stopping in their talks from spirit to once more give 
out something only the “dead” knew about, or could furnish. 

This Evidential proof took from Two o’clock until 3:30 
P. M. as I had to break the line, get off the wire, stop receiving 
from the spirits, to explain their meaning, often, as they go so 


366 


MY Proof of Immortality 

fast a stranger to their methods cannot get all that is given, often, 
unless we hold them back for the purpose, asking the spirits to 
be more explicit, and not to speak so fast, show us pictures so 
rapidly, that the mind for which they are given cannot absorb 
it all, a certain shock always going with such wonderful proof 
and knowledge that their own have not died, and are present, 
proving memory, and helpfulness, always, when given the oppor¬ 
tunity to do so by those called “living”. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 

Note: 

The spirit said, at Quarter past Three o’clock, “She promised 
her husband she would be back with the Car, so she must go.” “I 
did,” said Mrs. Schilling: “I told him I would be there at Half 
past Three. What time is it now?” I add this merely to show 
incredulous mortals that the dead know everything, (S. T. S.) 
come to tell you, if you will make it possible for them to. 

This spirit was Mrs. Schilling’s own Mother. The only 
thing not understood at this sitting was a large pink shell, which 
a spirit showed to me after speaking of the graves on Decoration 
Day. 


Evidential Proof, March 7th. 1922. New York City 
Schilling, Mr. Wm. 

Accompanied by Miss Hauschild, Mr. Schilling came for 
proof of survival after death of his own in spirit. 

First, a loving Grandmother in spirit, proved she was pres¬ 
ent, by recalling the several ways she petted this young man 
when he was a child. Unusual proof, only this very woman 
could give. Recognized at once. Spirit then told how she dressed 
him for Sunday School, put the little leaflet in his hand, and 
heard him repeat his verse he had committed to memory for the 
day. Described herself, her clothes, habits, market basket, the 
large pocket in her petticoat, shape of same, its contents, her 
shoes and how she kept her green bills in her shoes,—brought in 
her Delft plates from Germany, size explained,—told of the 
habits of the household while she lived, etc. 

Next a spirit Grandfather, described himself, his whiskers 
of gray, glasses, clothes, hat, fondness for this Boy,—told how 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


367 


he crept up to see him under the patch work quilt after he had 
gone to bed with a fever from overplay, at baseball, described 
this room, and how he (Grandfather) put some little moneys in 
his little pockets while he (as a lad) was sleeping, and the sur¬ 
prise of this boy at same when he found them. Told how this 
boy rolled snow and made snow men, putting pipes in their 
mouths, and ONCE HE PUT ON A PLUG HAT AND A 
COAT on one. (Mr. Schilling laughed at all these true memor¬ 
ies, which took him back to his childhood) This Grandfather’s 
spirit then SHOWED TO ME, this medium writing here, a 
large head of the Poet DANTE with its wreath—telling me this 
boy had drawn this, (Which was admitted and recognized as 
true by sitter) A spirit said, “there is one here for your Mother, 
a young woman.” This man’s Mother has a young sister in 
spirit. Business messages were given from this Grandfather to 
this man, messages sent to his son (the sitter’s father in the 
body) all of which were recognized and understood. 

Then a young athlete in spirit appeared. He was described 
fully, his swimming suit, his habits, his closeness to this one 
while in body, their lives, and habits, the borrowing of money 
between them brought in as fun, but true, told how he died, 
gave Mr. Schilling help with a problem of his, described his 
clothes, especially a red-brown suit, and his patent leather danc¬ 
ing pumps, flecked the dust from his sleeve and his boot, his 
white kid gloves, the way he tipped his hat from the front with 
outstanding elbow,—Madison Square Garden alluded to where 
they used to go,—the beer they used to get in STEINS AFTER 
THE DANCE AND THEY HAD TAKEN HOME THE 
GIRLS, all referred to understood, recognized. This spirit did 
not give his name, but said, IF I SHOULD TELL YOU JUST 
ONE THING ABOUT ME TONIGHT THAT WE BOTH 
KNOW YOU WOULD SOON SAY I WAS HERE: it re¬ 
ferred to a question of health, and was understood by sitter. 

Ada was called: Two in spirit wished to speak with her. 
The one living with the fur coat, and this was described,— 
recognized as Mr. Schilling’s wife in the body, and the new fur 
coat is hers. The name I got as Ida, it was now half past eleven 
o’clock. There were other spirits present also, and described, 
one who had a Fraternity Funeral, buried out of the city. 


368 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof: Saturday, Oct. 13th, 1923. Teaneck, N. J. 

As we sat at luncheon in Miss Hauschild’s new home in 
Teaneck, a spirit spoke saying, “Dodo is here. Tell this one on 
the right.” “Yes, said “Louise” (the dear friend of Miss Haus¬ 
child’s Mother while in a body) “That is what I always called 
her.” And many miracles of proof, recalling the old days were 
given, all acknowledged, readily, and much that was private, of 
the old days, recalling confidences of old, while in the body. 

To “Josie” the friend of Miss Hauschild, hers in spirit 
proved again they are with her and anxious to speak when they 
can do so. Over and over the Mother of this girl, in spirit, 
proved herself, and her favorite Uncle, with her Mother in spirit 
said, “Who used to gather bunches of “cat-o’-nine tails”? and 
tie them to take along?” And her Mother finally said, “One 
more proof for me, “What did I use to do with the cocoanuts, 
after I bored out the eyes?” Yes indeed, said “Josie.” Mother 
put flowers in the shells!” This young woman was given detailed 
descriptions of her office, the people who work there, etc. etc. 
and all was comprehended by the young woman, self-supporting, 
and a Catholic of splendid worth. 

To Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Schilling, at their beautiful home, 
near Miss Hauschild’s home, we gave for over an hour Sat. 
P. M., and all of Sunday morning, intimate proof from the 
“dead” to theirs there in body, that all are living, present, unfor¬ 
getting, able still to advise, know all the turns of the road of life. 
I do not register here these intimate experiences, as they are 
like others, but I must register here the last proof for 
them. A maid served refreshments, late Sat. evening. When 
she had left the room, a spirit spoke to me asking me to please 
speak for him to the one who carried the tray. “I am her hus¬ 
band,” said this spirit. “I did not treat her right. I am here, 
and I am trying to help her now. Tell her I heard her worry¬ 
ing because she could not put flowers on my grave, and markers 
there. Why I am not there, I am here. Tell her, will you speak for 
me ?” All this was told at once to the Schillings and Miss Hauschild 
and they were interested saying that is all true, for she was worry¬ 
ing to me about those things just the other day. Call her, said I. 
Mr. Schilling left the room to call her, and she wept, saying “I 
could not sleep, maybe, if I heard.” They left her outside. The 
spirit continued with his proof as follows: “Tell her our baby 


By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


369 


did not live to be born, but we named it anyway. Tell her I left 
her and never wrote but once a short line. I was led away by 
bad companions. She will recall how I used to dance a clog 
dance with my hands in my pockets, so (showing me, Sarah 
Shatford) how this had been done. 

The maid came in of her own accord. Walked up to the 
sofa where I sat. Asking her to sit down by my side, I put my 
arm around her neck, whispered to her all I have recorded, and 
more, while she wept, and then smiled, then thanked me. This 
husband in spirit described the working man who wanted to 
marry her, his business, and advised that she accept the offer, and 
have another home of her own. Promising he would help her 
as he failed to help while here in a body. But before leaving 
this man in spirit said to his wife in body: “Never drink that, 
so you can come and be with me, do you understand. I know 
how you have thought you would take your life by drinking 
poison. Never do that. Promise me you will not do that, ever.” 
“I promise,” said she. “Yes,” she said, “I have been trying to 
do it: that is all true.” 

One detail: Mr. Schilling's father in spirit first described 
the box-toed shoes he wore, then himself, his clothes, the first 
printing shop of this son, and gave, in German, the toast he al¬ 
ways gave: “To live, to love, etc.” 


Evidential Proof: July 21st, 1923. 

HAUSCHILD: Miss Louise. 

“There is a spirit here who wore a velvet basque, pointed 
front and back, piped with gros-grain silk, and she holds up in 
her right hand a German silver purse, fish-scale pattern, three 
inches wide and six inches long.” She says her favorite Opera 
was “The Barber of Seville”. “That is Mother,” said Miss Haus- 
child. The spirit then said, “I was present when you said you 
would not part with the brocaded sateen comforter because it was 
Mother’s. I see the side-board with its two inlays of wood. And 
the syringas planted in the yard,— (All recognized) 

The balance then was, after this proof that this spirit came 
with Miss Hauschild, of a personal nature, too private to print. 
Miss H—’s step-father explained all about the Taxes, machinery 
(new) and the different problems of the plant,—showing that he 



370 


MY Proof of Immortality 


was in daily touch with the business world,—he proved himself 
over and over, telling of his violin, the part he played in the 
orchestra, some of his personal sayings when in the body, his 
peculiar tastes, regarding food, and the way he held his rosin 
to prepare his bow,—joked regarding his dislike of certain things 
while in the body,—and all was like a visit with this spirit. As 
he has often described himself this is no longer done, they must 
find something new each time for evidence, before they are al¬ 
lowed to proceed with their visits. As we went to California, 
and they were all in close touch with Miss H— for two months, 
every day, they must find more evidence that has not been used 
previously. Proof that they are here, and are themselves, know¬ 
ing, explaining, describing, that which none other could. They 
seem never to run short of memories, or descriptions, however. 

Messages were sent to Miss H—’s co-workers, relatives, as 
well as those living in her house, and the Firm for which she 
works. 

This is only to record that spirits are themselves alert: She 
was to take a train, at a certain hour. Her watch was on the 
table from both our visions, so we could not see the time. But 
she was told, “it is time now to get ready,” which it was: 5 :29, 
and she just made the train at Melrose Station. 

Her Grandmother described herself, told how she used to 
make “milk bread,” and said: “Do you remember the pink 
oleander in the front yard? Why don’t you plant one in your 
new place?” (All recognized at once.) 

These few things I write, there was much else as true, and 
as interesting from an evidential standpoint. 

I hear “Minnie Mum is here” “Yes?” said I. “Maxie is 
with her!” said the spirit. (Maxie Mum) 


Evidential Proof: Sat. P. M. Dec. 1st, 1923. 

Miss Louise Hauschild: 

A spirit voice said: “There is a Mother here who remem¬ 
bers that sweet little home where she had such sorrow and so 
much joy later. The front room, with its two front windows, 
with Nottingham lace curtains,—the brussels carpet with roses in 
it,—the small, marble-top table with the large lamp, with shade, 
on it,—and a foot-stool WITH WORKED ZEPHYR TOP on 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


371 


which you sat, with a small white long-haired dog, while I 
KNITTED STOCKINGS in the evenings. (All readily ac¬ 
knowledged by Miss Hauschild) This spirit continued, “Do you 
remember how I used to say to you WHEN SOMEONE WAS 
PLAYING ON A VIOLIN, GO TELL HIM TO PLAY 
HOME SWEET HOME?” “I do—certainly, I do,”—said Miss 
Hauschild,—“that is Mother!” “Do you remember who used to 
scold because I did so much for one who did not appreciate it? 
Frank? How I kept my money in my stocking, and would give 
it, and be scolded for it?” “Yes, I do: and that is all recognized, 
Frank was his name: that was MOTHER’S brother,” said Miss 
H—. The spirit then continued: “Well, you have had a real 
offer, a professional man,—why not say YES this time?” “It 
is true,” said Miss H—. And the balance from this Mother in 
spirit to hers in body is too sacred to print here, but it was proved 
by her that she knew all, never left her daughter, as she went into 
all private matters concerning her home, funds, business, etc. 
All acknowledged true, and gratefully so, by Miss Hauschild, 
who, it seems, could get no more from spirit, since for years all 
hers in spirit have given her new and acceptable proof each time 
—that they remembered the old life in bodies, and all the affairs 
of family, etc. 

Three others in spirit recalled the past today for Louise. 
Intimately, fondly, joyously, Father, Grandmother and Grand¬ 
father,—describing their hats, clothes, deaths, fun in the family, 
etc., as Miss Hauschild laughed WITH them, saying, “Oh, it is 
just like visiting with them! I go home so happy and satisfied, 
from here always.” 

Her Father said from spirit: “Do you recall how the chorus 
girls made dates with me, and they would wait at a certain spot? 
And I would come home and tell Mother and you, and we would 
say, Wonder if she’s waiting yet?” “Yes, yes,” said Miss 
Louise. 

And this Father in spirit then said: “I see Bill has an offer 
for the TORCH. Tell him to take hold, and nail that up, and ft 
will never come down, that cross for the Master. It is our work: 
we have all helped from this side.” 

(And I heard of this offer for the first time through a spirit. 
S. T. S.) ' 


372 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof: Schilling: N. Y. C. 

In December, in the night, I was awakened by a spirit who 
said: “There is a paper lost at Schilling Press. In old Schill¬ 
ing’s office. Those they take out and lay on top of the iron 
safe. A paper is lost. Out, out with the other papers: Lost.” 

I shall tell this? I asked, of the spirit. Phone it, they said. 

This I did. Getting Miss Hauschild on the phone. 

A week later Miss Hauschild came out, and told me that it 
was quite right, the paper IS lost still, and that it is the deed to 
the Schilling former Brooklyn home which was missing, not 
known until I told them by phone. 

For the above, Mr. J. H. Schilling gave me the privilege of 
using their address for my TORCH PRESS, Inc., mail. 

This is only a small thing, but a miracle none the less. There 
are so many like it I could not even recall them. 

Sarah T. Shatford 


Evidential Proof: August 24th, 1923. 

Saleswoman at Macy’s Book Dept. 

This woman had called at the Hotel once and found me out. 
She has handled all three of the Books of this spirit. As she 
spoke to me today saying she should like so much to hear from 
hers but had no time to call her own as she gave lessons in the 
evenings, a spirit said, “Tell her I am here, AND I HEARD 
THEM ALL TALKING ABOUT MY CRUST AND BLACK¬ 
BERRY PIES, the other day.” “I used to wear blue glasses to 
protect my eyes, and tied a large straw hat down over my ears, 
so, showing me how, which I described and all was recognized. 
This Mother in spirit then said, “Show her this daguerreotype 
picture, small round in a brown frame, and say there is another 
of me and a man standing by my side. (Recognized at once) 
Tell her how I wept when she had to go to work: I said I 
would rather sew buttons on than to have her go outside to earn 
her bread.” (True, said this woman) Show her that I had 
trouble with my finger on my right hand, the index finger. (Rec¬ 
ognized at once) 

“What about those blackberries?” said the saleswoman, “I 
should like to hear more regarding that.” 

The spirit then said, “There was a tragedy she has never 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


373 


forgotten and from which she has never recovered/’ (Acknowl¬ 
edged by this woman) 

After the above, this Mother said, “The Uncle on whom I 
relied is here with me.” This was also acknowledged at once. 
“And the two children, so high, and so high, the largest one a Boy 
with a fine shaped head.” Yes, said the woman in front of me 
whose Mother in spirit was speaking to her through my hearing, 
and psychic sight. 

Then this spirit told her child what she desired her most to 
know, which I do not need to record, all acknowledged as she 
went along from spirit. 


Evidential Proof: Nov. 18th, 1919. New York. 2:30 P. M. 
Mrs. Slocum: 

Mrs. Slocum, a woman of about 50 years: a widow. The 
first spirit to describe himself was her father. Then her mother, 
then her husband, and a child. All these spirits were concerned 
only in proving that they were present. Over and over they told 
of incidents, and gave descriptions, which none could give but 
they. Those things which were of most value I repeat: 

The father was a Captain : said so: showed his uniform. He 
was a Mason, and described his charm ring and watch. He used 
to clasp his hands and bend them in when discussing any matter 
of importance, it was a peculiarity of his, and he showed me 
this. He spoke of his will which he failed to draw, “even on a 
piece of paper.” 

Her mother described their farm or country home. She had 
an old fashioned garden and took care of it herself and described 
the larkspur, petunias and asters, also the fragrant vine over the 
porch planted by the step, not jasmine, but another very fragrant 
vine (honeysuckle). She told that they had no gas there but in 
the parlor had kerosene chandeliers, lamps setting in brackets. 
She asked if sitter recalled how the birds built in the cupula of 
father’s barn where the slats were, and that father said they 
used to steal his grain? (Acknowledged all of the above as true) 
Then sitter wished to know how she “combed” her hair. So 
this mother began: “Crimpers, two: a part in the center: a shoe- 



374 


MY Proof of Immortality 


string in my mouth, tied at back of head and rolled about on the 
crown. You girls often fussed with it and bought me a false 
piece but I always went back to my own way.” (True) This 
spirit told this daughter that she had her spectacles in a case 
and kept them in her work basket. (True) Her favorite dress 
was a black and white small check (all true). Told how her girls 
had kept her supplied with knitted capes with bows of ribbon 
in front (true). Her throat was rubbed, she passed in spring 
of pneumonia. The husband then described himself: told how 
he had smoked until he had a rough throat. (True) His white 
vest, top hat, stick, gray mustache, all described. Told how she 
always slept on his arm: that he had breakfasted downtown so 
she could sleep in the mornings, and now he had to see her attend 
on boarders. (True) Described his picture which hangs in the 
front room copied from a photograph, but a good likeness of 
me. (True) (Note: I have never been in her house. S. T. S.) 
Advised her not at all: all she came for was material things: all 
she got was proof that the dead survive and are able to prove it. 
She was disappointed. This is why I do not like to give mes¬ 
sages. Read over the above proof that her own were here, and 
then do you blame me ? 

She asked to come back another day, and I have given her 
permission to do so. She wanted their names at the close of a 
sitting that covered two hours and a half. But the spirits were 
not obeying orders evidently for they gave no names this 
time. 


Evidential Proof: Feb. 7th, 1922. Evening. Accompanied by 

Miss Jeannette Clenen. 

Mrs. Susan Slocum. 

The first spirit to describe himself was an uncle on her 
Mother’s side of the family, who was a fine old gentleman, in 
black broadcloth, tall, with broad, full forehead, gray hair and 
beard with mustache. He was pouring out a clear liquid from 
a small bottle into a silver teaspoon, standing beside a library 
table on which was a lamp. He was accompanied by a beauti¬ 
ful child, whom he said reached his elbow in height, had curls, 
was dressed in white full skirted dress, short sleeves,—“That is 



375 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

my Uncle who used to give me castor oil, and my little daughter,” 
said Mrs. Slocum. 

The next spirit to describe herself was an old lady of 
short build, fleshy, gray hair parted in center and waved, dressed 
low in the back, in a coil. She was dressed as she dressed 
in the morning at home, and described a bedspread she knitted 
out of thread, told of its pattern “points, and holes in the points” 
she said. Then this spirit said to Mrs. Slocum, “You have a 
brown work basket of mine.” That is my Mother, said Mrs. 
Slocum. This Mother gave a symbolic message understood by 
this daughter regarding her household problem which was worry¬ 
ing her. When refreshments were served and Mrs. Slocum said 
“This plate was Mother’s”, the spirit said: “Where is the square 
tea pot and sugar bowl which matched?” Gone, said Mrs. Slo¬ 
cum : That is right, said Mrs. Slocum, there was a square pot and 
sugar bowl like it.” 

The next spirit was a man in evening dress, who was bald 
but not entirely, the little hair he had he combed straight back, 
he said: he told how he got very red in the face when excited 
and walked the floor, described his cigar cutter worn by him on 
his watch chain, his shoes, carnation, and the trouble and sick¬ 
ness in his wife’s home at the present time, her malady, what 
was contemplated in operations, etc. Said his wife had his life 
insurances and that was all he left but these would carry her 
through. This spirit referred to the lady in whose home we sat 
(in the light) told how he used to take her out to dinner, and 
loved to tell risque stories, also the tall glasses which were filled 
at the side of their plates (wine) but that his favorite meal was 
at her home when he always took two pieces of thick pumpkin 
pie.” All of which was correct, acknowledged by Mrs. Slocum 
to be so. (John Dutcher) Friend. The next spirit was an old 
gentleman who was full of fun, liked to play pranks on the 
women-folks of the household, and he turned his back and lifted 
his coat tails and showed me the shiny seat of his trousers, broad 
and wrinkled, that he used to wear outside the house when the 
women were not on their guard. This was recognized as her 
own father, and was his joke when in the body. 

Mrs. Slocum wished to “hear from” her sister recently de¬ 
ceased, but she was not presented on this occasion nor referred 
to by hers in spirit. 


376 


MY Proof of Immortality 

This is the third time we have proved to Mrs. Slocum that 
the dead are present and survive with memories and personalities. 

Miss Clenen’s Mother referred to a lavender surah silk 
dress, and brought a lovely young woman in white voile over 
silk, slender, hair brown, brown eyes, hair parted on the side, 
having a curl falling on the left shoulder, wore a cross on a velvet 
ribbon about her neck. This spirit was recognized by Miss 
Clenen. 

The name of Luke was also recognized by her, this one being 
in spirit. Miss Clenen’s spirit relations have gone back three 
generations for her, bringing in every one of their families, all 
their homes, pasts, clothes, fun, etc., all described at various times 
during the past three years. 


Miss Storey: Nov. 7th, 1919. 4 P. M. 

Sitting No. 2. 

Miss Storey is a student of the Occult—following the theos- 
ophists’ creed, eating no meat for several years. She “gets” 
things, does not know how, but can tell when spirits are present: 
often gives others messages she gets in this way. She is a very 
hard sitter. In searching for this one, it is like digging for gold, 
or listening to faintest music far distant. I know whenever this 
condition prevails that these do not need to come to a medium, 
but can get their own messages. But I demanded that I should 
have a full measure and not be a failure in this case. She had 
had one remarkable sitting, and the spirits back of me do not aim 
to give more than one to any individual. It was therefore hard 
for me at first. 

Her father, Mother, and a school friend (woman), all 
proved that they were here. She denied them all: they came out 
with all her family proof: her father described his bible: the 
house she wished to buy, the man she is engaged to marry, his 
tastes, etc. Her father at last told that he played a violin: they 
showed me this. He described himself: told how the spirits man¬ 
aged her life: her difficulties, making room for her when there 
was no room, etc. Her business friends were described too: their 
characteristics (which she acknowledged). 

After the sitting she said, “I am too lazy to use my brain: 
they wanted me to, but I wouldn’t.” Meaning, I suppose, “If 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


377 


you can get anything for me, it won’t come from MY mind, for 
I will block that by thinking not at all.” This must have been 
realized by the spirits for they were not inclined to give me any¬ 
thing. And I think would not have except I demanded that I 
should not be recorded a failure in any case whatever. 

Sarah T. Shatford 


Storey: Miss: 

Sent by Mrs. Elliot: asked me to give this woman as a favor 
any evidence possible, as she had a problem. 

In my room immediately after dinner. 

Much confusion of spirits: A spirit for Amelia (This must 
be for Mrs. Bingham) Also others I know have been here called 
their names. It took some fifteen minutes to separate the spirits 
and cull this one’s from the throng present. She was a very 
patient sitter. But did not help me with a yes or no. Finally 
a spirit by the name of Ida came. Described her aristocratic 
bearing, large brown eyes, long black lashes, her tapered fingers, 
her beautiful garments, etc. She took me to a head stone of 
gray rough granite, and she saw the sitter place a wreath on the 
grave which was covered with myrtle. She gave the entire mes¬ 
sage in symbols. Dead leaves falling never can flower, she said. 
A barrier was shown such as on the race tracks, you will scale it, 
but you must run and jump, and don’t wait. Pack up, a suitcase, 
and go. She shows me a man with curly hair under a lamp 
writing a letter. Two children are mentioned. Pie posts this 
letter at the train. Pick up your pen and answer YES, and she 
underscores the word. “Why not?” she says. She spoke of a 
woman with a bitter tongue. Gave advice. All understood and 
all the message for which she came, and was asked to come to 
me. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: April 6th, 1922. New York City: 
Miss Dorothy Sawyer: Toledo, Ohio. 

Miss Dorothy’s Mother calls me her “Post Office.” Tells 
her daughter in the body ‘Vou must come to the Post Office to 
get Mother’s letter.” Another time this girl’s Mother in spirit 
said: “It is a miracle that I found an eye for my hook at last. 
I was always looking for an eye: I had the hook in my hand, 




378 


MY Proof of Immortality 


but never never an eye.” Meaning a medium, a wire, over which 
she could pass her message. This spirit mother has brought 
forth all that is family history (See File for letter from Dorothy) 
for a girl who was a stranger, beginning with her point lace, 
jewel box and contents, family furniture, the cradle with its 
hood that is used at present by the sister of Dorothy (true) and 
all the family stresses as well, helping, advising, imploring, and 
proving with each single message that it IS Mother by giving 
some new description, always true, and recognized as true by the 
sitter. 

I write this to say, at the last, when this girl had to return 
to her home city and leave the “Post Office” she was told by her 
spirit Mother, “Get that Roman gold cross, so long, from your 
Aunt, and wear it on a velvet ribbon around your neck: it was 
Mother’s.” True, said the young lady, and Auntie will give it to 
me, I know. 

This Mother, still as human as we, sent her two sons valu¬ 
able advice regarding business and character. “The one who is 
almost bald,” said she once. Yes, said the sister of this brother. 
The other brother was described in detail, and his business 
(Stock broker) and the summer home she loved, where we used 
to get “all sewed up”, (the summer sewing done) true—and 
every private matter of the father’s, all referred to, the baking 
done by the girl, her cakes described, the place where the phone 
is, all her family described sitting at the dining room table, their 
accustomed places,—the curtains “which were mine and you had 
them mended and they put in a leaf just like the other worn 
out,” (explained by the girl, they were Irish Point curtains of 
her Mother’s and they sent them to an expert to be laundered 
and mended up because they were Mother’s) all, and more than 
this, of the same nature, all of comfort, and worth, gave this 
girl courage, and made her glad to know a Mother had seen all 
her efforts on behalf of brothers and father, and had actually 
been in the same home, and helped and was now with her daugh¬ 
ter in New York, and able to prove to her by her own manner, 
even, that she was Mother. 

While waiting for these Girls one afternoon, at Mrs. Whit¬ 
ing’s home, 350 West End avenue, in the parlor, alone, a voice 
said to me: “I wish you could play the piano while you wait.” 
“Indeed I would if I could,” I replied. I told Mrs. Whiting, who 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


379 


said: “Isn’t that strange: Mr. Whiting (her husband who passed 
a year ago) was so devoted to music.” When I invited Mrs. 
Whiting to call on us, which she said she would do. Here is a 
case where there was no time to take my time, yet this spirit man, 
living there with the wife in his same home, was able to “get 
across” enough to warn that he was not “dead”, at least. 

Names I hear of late have been: John Burroughs. Roose- 
veldt had importuned me to write, look up his folks: often. 
Mayor Mitch el, Vernon Castle: GLORIA, was called twice: 
(Caruso’s daughter) the poet laureate, Sir Alfred: Phillips 
Brooks: Elwell: (the murdered man) “There’s a spirit here for 
Elsie French:” “There’s a spirit who went down on a ship: 
Maudie” (Frohman) “Charles Becker: “Merlin” (Tennyson?) 
“There’s a spirit here for Mrs. Dick.” (Astor?) Clara Louise 
Burnham: “HOLLYWOOD” (Taylor?) 

Dr. Peebles came to me the 18th of Feb. I saw him: he 
gave me a message, which I sent to Dr. Austin: Mrs. Girvin also 
saw him and he was there. (90 W St.. 149) Dr. Peebles said 
he would come, and he kept his word. See his letters to me in 
TORCH PRESS File. Desire to say, all spirits return to help 
me for what I do for them, and all have their own way of prov¬ 
ing who they are by some evidence which has passed through. 
“The lady with the two-tiered cape is here”: James Kelly’s 
Mother. There are NO dead: none. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: 

April 2nd, 1922. 

“Marcia”, (from Toledo, Ohio,) friend of Miss Alta Baum¬ 
gardner, and Miss Dorothy Sawyer, of Toledo. (This young 
woman had two communions with hers in spirit) 

“Marcia”, a young lady in deep mourning. A friend of the 
above Girls, to whom I have given many dozens of messages 
and hours with theirs in spirit. This is all I knew about the girl: 
her name. 

A soldier, in spirit, his uniform described, with the cap, his 
person described, his long white hands, how he threw away his 
cigarette, his cigarette case described and “those bed socks with 
a seam up the front you sent me”: her letters, the tint of paper, 
how many sheets written both sides,—first this soldier spirit told 



380 


MY Proof of Immortality 


how this girl had longed to know if he suffered much at the 
close, and how he passed out. The spirit then told HIS RIGHT 
LEG WAS AMPUTATED JUST BELOW THE HIP—that 
he died of septicemia (all of which is true) and how glad he 
was to be where he is instead of walking like the other fellows 
with a crutch WHICH HE FEARED ALWAYS (true) 
MIGHT BE HIS LOT. He described the hospital attendant, 
man in white coat,—how he read her letters by candle light under 
ground (true), how much he wished to send a message of this 
truth to his father, a small man who had his insurance, but who 
had to work for his living, and he is too old to be a motorman 
(true) how he desired she should marry and have children, and 
advised her to go back home and take less money, there was no 
chance for promotion where she was, (true) that he was “where 
she went to hear from him and was disappointed”, and referred 
to that which she should like to discuss with her alone (under¬ 
stood) told he wore spurs,—(true) and much else I cannot recall. 

This is one of the few soldiers I have been allowed to 
speak for, as they have conditions, (not understood by me) 
which one takes on and suffers from, and as I am not a bearer of 
messages but a taker of a message I have not been allowed to 
speak for soldiers for this reason. After giving this message I 
was so completely worn out that I had to bathe my face and 
eyes. I saw (not with my eye but brain (?) (I do not know) 
this soldier, could paint him if I could paint, saw him in Hospital 
too, and all that he mentioned, including his father who is still 
in a body,— 

The first night “Marcia” came with the Girls she received 
a long line of proof I do not mention, regarding spirits passed 
over: she was engaged to this soldier, who told her his body was 
in France and he was content to have it remain there too,—how 
she followed him across, and how they felt when he left her 
weeping on that ship (all understood) 

This young woman has been twice to consult a Medium at 
the Waldorf-Astoria, at Five Dollars each time, and she said she 
had not received absolute proof until this time; that no one could 
have given her all that but the boy himself. She wrung my hand 
in gratitude, and with tears in her eyes, saying how thankful she 
was, and how much better she felt. I mention this to show that 
all human beings are not thankless. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 381 

Evidential Proof, Saturday, Sept. 15th, 1923. Given at Gimbel’s 

Restaurant, New York City. 

Mrs. Harriet Smith, Cleveland, Ohio. 

Having waited for some time in line at S-’s, we walked 

to G-’s for luncheon, and was seated with a woman near a 

window. She spoke to me saying the waitress had taken her 
order but had been gone some time. Every place was filled, 
and this was the only seat vacant, opposite Mrs. Smith. 

A spirit spoke to me thus: “There is a Union Baptist here: 
tell her.” “Tell her her sweetheart is here: he called her by this 

name.” Please say the Boy should not be discouraged by her 

regarding marriage, and that his frailty might not be passed on.” 

Speaking to this spirit, I (Sarah Shatford) said: “Make it 
possible for me to give your message.” Again the woman spoke 
to me, saying, “Do you live here?” This made it possible to 

open a way to tell her that those called “dead” spoke to me 

everywhere, that they were here with us even now, that a spirit 
had asked me to tell her that a “Union Baptist” was present, 
etc.” All of which was understood by her at once. 

Asking Mrs. Smith if she would take further proof that 
her own were here, from them, and receiving an affirmative an¬ 
swer, the following was passed on from the spirit world from 
her own family. 

A spirit said: “I was beside you, standing right there when 
they sang “JESUS LOVER OF MY SOUL”, which wasmy 
favorite hymn. Also, when you nursed the child who “died” 
(showing me its short white dress, in arms) : I never left. You 
have a daguerreotype picture of two people, in a brown frame, with 
its round oval copper setting,—and the small house with its front 
porch will do for you, and let him marry, but not the short girl, 
the other one (showing me a dark girl, tall with a smile) This 
spirit said AKRON. Which she understood. Going into the 
Boy’s business offers, this spirit said, It would not do for him 
to come here, let him stay there, live separate, and later you 
can visit them, but you live by yourself. And please make a 
present to the one who would visit you and repay her, and don’t 
wait upon her later, then. Your father is here, he preached. 
Stands here with a hymn book (spirit described in full) Names 
called here. 




382 


MY Proof of Immortality 


The health condition of this Boy was discussed much as a 
father would. Told of the chance that he could overcome con¬ 
ditions if outside at all times. Her Mother in spirit described 
herself, told how she was “Against this spirit work while she 
was in a body (acknowledged true) and took the corner of her 
apron and tucked it in her belt, a way she had, she said (recog¬ 
nized) and said, “You know I wept so easily I had to carry a 
handkerchief to wipe my eyes, and I took this so (showing me, 
Sarah Shatford, how she shook out the kerchief and took the 
very center of it for her eye) recognized as a trait, and acknowl¬ 
edged just as described. Further description then followed of 
this Mother’s person, and her quilts, “the one laid in a point 
at the foot of the bed, log-cabin variety, said this spirit (acknowl¬ 
edged) while all the old days were spoken of so familiarly that 
the eyes were moist, and once Mrs. Smith said, “I have fought 
this thing, and you see what is for us is given to us: it is just a 
miracle, that is all, that you, a perfect stranger, should prove 
to me that my own folks live and are with me. Over and over, 
in gratitude, and with astonishment, and rapture, this little woman 
took me to the elevator, grasped my hand, and smiled a good 
by to me, as I extended an invitation to bring someone else to 
me, giving her my home address, that she might see another 
profit as had she, and receive more herself. 


Evidential Proof: Thursday, Feb. 21st, 1924. New York City. 
SWAN, Miss. 

Waiting for the theatre to open at the Garrick for “SAINT 
JOAN”, with a Balcony seat, behind a post, in my hand (at a 
cost of $1.10) a lady walked over to me, across the rotunda, and 
addressing me, said: “Pardon me, but haven’t I met you some¬ 
where? Your face is so familiar, I must know you,” she said. 
Saying that I could not recall having met her, but, that we might 
be just congenial spirits, I told her my name, and where I had 
lived, and was living. Then, as she was not able to recall having 
met me, I told her why she had taken pains to speak, that I never 
spoke to people but let them speak to me, led by the UNseen. 
I told her the dead spoke to me, and, I had found everything a 
miracle in life. That I should be glad to have her come to see 
me and bring the woman mentioned, who was interested in hear- 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


383 


ing from those called dead. Then I said, hearing a spirit speak 
at my side, “You have a Mother in spirit who is beside you, and 
she says she would like to raise up the comers of the leaves of 
the past for you REGARDING THE SEMI-TRAGEDY IN 
YOUR LIFE. ALSO, TO HELP YOU WITH THE IN¬ 
VESTMENTS WORRYING YOU.” “I would understand all 
of that,” said the lady. 

After which, as the doors had opened, I invited Miss Swan 
to bring her friend, and speak with her Mother, who is with her, 
and NOT “dead”. 


Evidential Proof: Important: 

For Lillian Whiting, Author, Brunswick Hotel, Boston, Mass. 

On March 7th, 1919, as near as I can place the date, after 
haying had four sittings with the medium “Chenoweth” (Mrs. 
Minnie Soule), having been requested by Dr. James H. Hyslop 
to go to Boston and “their” Scientific medium for the pur¬ 
pose of discovering if the spirit writing through me was that of 
the immortal Shakespeare as it claimed, (and I was met at 
Springfield by Dr. Hyslop and taken to the Brunswick Hotel, 
where Miss Whiting stops, and I paid Five Dollars each sitting 
with “Chenoweth” and all my own expenses to and from Bos¬ 
ton) and, after the medium “Chenoweth” had given little for 
the money (See Hyslop’s notes herewith)—but had gotten that 
S. w—wrote the papers in my MMS. case,—a big S, a little w, 
please note. Also that they were VERY important, and should 
be published and given to the world (See notes of Hyslop for 
this). After all this, on the last evening of my stay in Boston, 
I was requested through the phone by Dr. Hyslop to “please go 
to Miss Whiting’s room No. 302—she would be waiting for me at 
Seven o’clock—that evening.” 

Miss Whiting, Author of The World Beautiful, The Life of 
the Brownings, etc., met me at the door. Dr. Hyslop told me 
NOT to take my papers (W. S. Spirit Writings, and NOT to 
allude to them. I took them all the same. Placing my MMS. 
case on the table they were not referred to until after I had fin¬ 
ished with message bearing. 

As we spoke of New Orleans, a virile personality in spirit, 
spoke to me. This was a woman, but her personality was 



384 


MY Proof of Immortality 

brusque, and I could not pause, she was so strong, and able to 
give advice on Miss Whiting’s Literary work, publishing, books, 
small articles, syndicates, money affairs, etc. She said “I have 
closed the door to keep out the rabble, you understand. (Yes, I 
do, said Miss Whiting) Continuing, this voice said “for this 
reason I cannot get my midnight messages through as before”. 
She assured her that she was with her however as she had been. 
She gave much personal advice. All plain to Miss Whiting 
apparently. Then, this spirit said: “As proof that I am here 
present, I mention A CHARM UNDER GLASS ON A LONG 
CHAIN: 1 mention this because it belonged to me and you, and 
to one across the sea where you left it. You have many other 
trinkets of mine hereabout .” “This is KATE”. Miss Whiting 
said: “That is the most remarkable proof that Kate Field is 
present. I will tell you why. The charm under glass she men¬ 
tions is A LOCK OF MRS. BROWNING’S HAIR, which be¬ 
longed to Kate Field, was given to me by the family after Kate 
died, and taken by me to Italy when I went to get the Browning 
data for my Life of the Brownings. While there I gave it to the 
Browning’s son for his daughter, as I thought Kate would like 
them to have it, and that it should be theirs. But I have never 
missed anything more in my life, for I wore it night and day, it 
was never off my neck, in fact.” 

Miss Whiting’s Mother called Niagara Falls, described their 
home front yard there, said she wore hoop-skirts, (true) all said 
to be fact. Then Miss Whiting placed a photograph frame in my 
hand upside down, and asked what I could tell her of it. Kate’s 
voice said: “Oh yes, the daughter of your friend, the young 
girl who passed in the early spring a few years back.” It was 
true also. 

Miss Whiting then accompanied me to the door of my room 
in the same Hotel, after she had glanced over the W. S. papers, 
saying these are remarkable and should be published. 

She spoke to me about “The Holy Spirit” to be guided by 
it, etc. I recall this only to let you know that those who know r 
the truth of spirit return (Miss Whiting is a psychic herself) all 
warn against spirit service. 

I told her it was through service of the Holy Spirit that I 
attracted the one who was now serving through me: told her of 
my own book, Birds Of Passage, with God on every leaf,—and 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


385 


that I had only come to Boston to learn and satisfy Priests and 
Scientists if the spirit was Shakespeare’s. She need have no 
fear for me: I would not give up to “trance” mediumship: and 
I was protected I was told and should not be required to do so 
unwillingly. 

We parted at my room door, with the hope that I might 
someday see her in New York and give more from her friend 
Kate Field. (Former correspondent for Congress) who passed 
out while Miss Whiting was on the sea, whom Miss Whiting, 
saw in the spirit in her cabin on the steamer, —when she reached 
the other side there was a cable saying Kate Field had died. 


Evidential Proof: Wed., Feb. 13th, 1924. 

WILD MAN, Mrs. Marianna: N. Y. C. 

As we sat conversing in Mrs. Wildman’s boudoir today, a 
spirit spoke to me, Sarah Shatford, saying: “Just say / am here. 
T. BP (Yes, said Mrs. W.: I know who that is.) “My PROOF 
that I AM here,” said this spirit voice, “I am required to give, 
or I cannot tell you what I came to tell.” “So I say that she 
(Mrs. Wildman) will remember MY GRAY KID RUSSIAN 
LEATHER BOOK IN WHICH I KEPT THOSE VERY 
SMALL FIGURES, FOR WHICH I WAS COMMENDED 
MANY A TIME. And she recalls how I did like a primrose, it 
was my favorite plant, and I kept them: she knows that road 
TOWARDS HOME AND THE SUNSET, DIRECTLY 
WEST, ON WHICH I DROVE AT NIGHT, THROUGH 
THOSE FIELDS OF GRAIN, WHICH I DID LOVE TO 
SEE WAVE (showing me these, also). She knows the trouble 
I had with miy head: she recalls the long incisors of the lower 
jaw, ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 
MOUTH.” All of this was admitted by Mrs. Wildman, known 
of her, as representing the man who was telling it from spirit. 

This spirit then went into business affairs in Canada, prop¬ 
erty, Lawyer, etc.—all of which was understood as applying 
to a contemplated journey to Toronto, at once. ALL under¬ 
stood, and though NOT understood by me, Sarah Shatford, was 
a complete solving of a financial problem recently developed by 
the passing of her lawyer in Toronto. 

The spirit of a woman stood out on the screen of my brain, 



386 


MY Proof of Immortality 


then, as though I were in fact looking AT a picture on a screen. 
I was able to describe this beautiful creature, as she called my 
attention to “my real lace veil, my mitts of lace, see, my jet brace¬ 
let strung on rubber, WHICH I WORE ON THE LEFT 
WRIST, and, she added, “she recalls how I used my HALF- 
OPENED FAN, in my right hand, so: (showing me, Sarah 
Shatford, just how she smiled as she used this, while conversing. 
This spirit said, “I had a habit of saying: “THAT IS QUITE 
A MATTER OF OPINION.” All of which was recognized 
as the Aunt of Mrs. Wild man, Aunt Annie, whose portrait is an 
heirloom in the family. This spirit began to advise regarding 
matters of interest to Mrs. W. only. Before she began she wished 
to stamp it so true that she was present, and she said, “I stood by 
here in this room when you said, “A profession must be chosen by 
the one whose life work it is to become.” I did that, said Mrs. 
Wildman, in speaking of Cyril.” 


Evidential Proof: Monday, Feb. 11th, 1924. N. Y. C. 

Wildman; Girvin; Syms: 

While paying a party call at Mrs. Wildman’s this afternoon, 
a spirit spoke to me, Sarah Shatford, saying: “I am here, folks. 
We used to gather around my dining room table. I stood HERE 
WHEN WISPELL WAS TALKING ABOUT ME IN THIS 
ROOM AND HEARD HER SAY THAT SHE HAD NEVER 
APPRECIATED WHAT I WAS OR HAD DONE UNTIL I 
CAME OUT. I HEARD HER SAY THAT SHE MISSED 
ME, TOO. Now, this is to prove that I am here. I ask a favor 
of you two friends. That you GO NOW TO MY DAUGH¬ 
TER’S, AND SPEAK FOR ME.” “You remember my fingers 
I could not open straight? I am here. I must speak to the 
girls.” (Meaning her daughters, Grace Girvin, and Mrs. Syms.) 

Mrs. Wildman consented to go, as she said, “That is per¬ 
fectly true: Mrs. Wispell of Brooklyn, said those very things 
the last time she was here, in this room, some weeks ago. Let 
us go, then, as the spirit asks. It certainly is Mrs. Girvin.” 

We took the car to 83rd St. where one of these daughters 
lives, at No. 111. Welcomed by the married daughter of Mrs. 
Girvin, who met us at the door, she said, “Grace is here. She 
was just going.” And Grace came in, having her hat and cloak 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 387 

on. The Doctor (husband of Rose Girvin, came in, spoke, and 
left down the hall). 

After speaking of several things, Mrs. Wildman told the 
girls that we came after THEIR MOTHER IN SPIRIT HAD 
PROVED HERSELF PRESENT, AND REQUESTED US 
TO COME. The spirit of Mrs. Girvin spoke, saying, “I must 
prove I am here before I am allowed to tell anything for myself. 
So, I say, you CANT FORGET THE NOODLES I MADE. 
AND THE TARTS FOR THIS ONE (Grace) SMALL? 
TURNEDOVER? SO? GOOEY INSIDE: this one brought the 
grape jelly,— (Grace) You know how I sat at the desk in the 
dining room and figured the bills, and folded them, so, when I 
paid them: you know how you paid mie so much, and the other 
so much, and I DIVIDED THESE SUMS, PLACING THE 
MILK-MAN’S MONEY UNDER THE GLASS FINGER- 
BOWL ON THE SIDEBOARD. You KNOW HOW I KEPT 
TAB AND PRESENTED MY ACCOUNTS TO HER WHO 
SAT THERE AT THAT SEAT AT THE DINING ROOM 
TABLE: YOU KNOW HOW I USED TO RUB YOU 
(Grace) AND HOW I PUT VASELINE ON MY HANDS 
BEFORE I BEGAN BECAUSE THEY WERE SO ROUGH: 
SHE KNOWS (Rose) how I used to make the girl’s dresses 
over, how she brought me my share wrapped up of pie, and cake, 
when she came; She (Grace) has my little book I read and 
turned down the leaves in it.” 

All the above was recognized by these two daughters, Mrs. 
Wildman present. This spirit, Mrs. Emma Girvin, who was our 
dear friend, a noble, selfless woman, a public speaker at the 
Church of Divine Inspiration, of New York City, and later 
at Carnegie Hall, every Sunday evening. This spirit con¬ 
tinued: '‘Now, I am here, I shall speak my mind, just as I 
used to do when I stamped my foot, so: or when I placed the 
cards on the table, and put my palm on them, so: (showing me) 
“I want to say to You (Rose) I have stood by and HEARD 
YOU SAY YOU WOULD NOT GO TO ANY MEDIUM TO 
HEAR FROM YOUR MOTHER: IF SHE COULD NOT 
SPEAK TO YOU, YOU WOULD WAIT UNTIL SHE 
COULD. AFTER THAT I KNOCKED ON THE WALL 
TWICE, AND I PUT A LIGHT ON YOUR BED COVER, 
AND I TELL YOU WHEN YOU ARE ASLEEP WHAT I 


388 


MY Proof of Immortality 


WISH TO SAY AT TIMES: I want you to know that I heard 
you, that I am here, and that I LIVE RIGHT HERE. I CAN 
ONLY DO WHAT I CAN DO: I brought them here to you.” 
(This spirit then advised the collection of money due her when 
she passed by two friends of the circle she aided with her cash: 
told them how to collect it. This spirit described the grand¬ 
daughter’s nasal trouble, and that it must be operated upon. 
This girl was not present. “The one who is spindling up: I 
said she would never be good looking, but I take that back, she 
is, and will be. The girl who uses the bulb, and cannot cure 
conditions with this”— “I want to say that I have heard the 
Doctor, who does not believe in spirits, say since I passed out, 
“that if Mother G. said she heard and saw spirits, she did, for 
there was not a better woman: I thank him for this, I heard him 
say just that, as I stood by. And I heard him tell you that he 
was worn out, and predict his failing health. I want to say for 
him that he is like a wire: he will never break, but rust out. 
Pay no heed to this, he is like a wire, a useful wire. The girl 
who suffers with her back, will be worse and not better (on the 
coast, out by the sea) San Francisco: the one who is to have gas 
injected in her lung: I want to say NEVER THAT: NO AIR 
IN THAT LUNG BUT THE CREATOR’S AIR. I want to 
say that my right hand will clasp one girl’s hand, then my left 
will clasp another’s, and we will watch for the other one, we 
three. The Doctor should send out those uncollected bills by a 
collector, and he would have them paid. This is from a Mother 
who loved an orchid better than any other flower. This is all I 
can give now.” Turning to the girl Grace, this spirit then said, 
“SHE SHOULD NOT CLIMB UP SO HIGH BUT MOVE 
BACK IN THE ROOM WITH THE HEAD OF THE BED 
TOWARDS THE STAIRS.” “That is just where I am going 
to move,” said Grace. Who told us she had been on the third 
floor, and was coming down to the second, formerly her room. 

The daughter, Mrs. Syms would have been able to speak 
much longer with her Mother had she been willing to receive 
what her Mother was able to bring. She objected, denied, 
argued, hesitated to acknowledge unless made to do so, each 
time, until finally she sat weeping before us all. That her Mother, 
a medium who never took money for her services during a self¬ 
less life, lived for her own as well as the public, should have to 


389 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

bring her two friends into the family circle, and then, against the 
will of this child of a medium be made to acknowledge that her 
Mother was there in the room and living, and that she was able 
to tell of what had been said in that home, and since passing 
knew all that was transpiring. 

Feb. 12th, 1924. 

During the night I was awakened by a spirit who said: “You 
did not record for me what I said, yesterday, to my children, 
that OTHERS WIPED THEIR FEET ON ME WHILE I 
WAS IN A BODY, BUT WHEN I CAME HERE I HAD TO 
CLEAN MY OWN SHOES I FOUND.” “Emma Girvin,” 
said the voice. 

“That was a Mother’s best, today. So scant a measure. Yet 
proof absolute that she was there with her children.” 

I hear now, “This finishes your message work entire. This 
is the last message I will allow given to a human ear from my 
pen-point.” 

Another time, when told I should give a few more messages 
for the spirits, and I said I hoped to give as long as I lived, the 
voice said: “BECAUSE I SWEEP CHIMNEYS MUST I 
SWEEP ALL LONDON?” 


Evidential Proof: Evening, Feb. 10th, 1922. 

Mrs. (Dr.) H. Valentine Wildman Sr. brought two friends 
whom I had never met. Smith and-, Women. 

These were given three hours of messages. One came for 
material gain only, and hers was cut short. Her Grandmother 
who had lived with them described herself, clothes jewelry, bak¬ 
ing, cane she made at home, rheumatism,—and gave her what 
she came to know, regarding a step ahead, which concerned a 
man. Then an aunt, sister of Mother’s described her smile and 
that she had longed to show her spirit to this ones Mother who 
was about to pass over, to let her know that all those family 
troubles were forgotten,—her watch and chain and jet and gold 
bracelets described. The past of this one gone into and discussed 
in symbol, all understood and acknowledged by her. 

The other (Smith) was accompanied by a politician in eve¬ 
ning dress in spirit, whose signature was demanded often, and 





390 


MY Proof of Immortality 

who marched in parades, etc.—the home and receptions at this 
time in her house described, the inside of the home, smilax 
trimmed chandeliers, etc., crash covered brussels carpets, and 
her Mother described herself and clothes, and Mrs. Smith’s bed¬ 
room with its dotted swiss bed cover, and how she had lost her 
first love, and how this Mother came to the side of her bed and 
they wept together there when she was a young lady. A beauti¬ 
ful young girl, a princess, was described as she curtsied, hold¬ 
ing the side of a white frock, when she played before an audi¬ 
ence, her beautiful arm and hand shown and remarked,—all of 
these acknowledged. The latter being her young daughter in 
spirit. Who was musical. 

Mrs. Smith was accompanied by a rector in spirit, perfectly 
described and recognized. All her finances were discussed, and 
advice given, and all done in symbol, so that not one of the others 
understood her private affairs. 

Mrs. Wildman received a short message regarding her 
daughter in the body. 


Evidential Proof: Feb. 26th, ’20. 3 P. M. 

Mrs. Dr. Valentine Wildman Sr. brought a Mrs. Horton, a 
friend of their family, whom I had never seen, or heard men¬ 
tioned. 

Mrs. Horton’s Father, who was an invalid, was the first 
spirit to describe himself. He was tall, angular, white hair, 
broad prominent brow, white mustache, was in a wheel chair, 
wrapped in a steamer rug having fringe which had been a gift 
from this good daughter whose care was appreciated and de¬ 
scribed. She had also given him an umbrella with a square ivory 
handle: this ue used as a cane much of the time. Their moun¬ 
tain home was shown to me: a small house in the heart of hills, 
a valley view from this porch on which this old man sat. All 
correct, acknowledged. Her work, present and desired, was then 
discussed and advice given, all apropos. Her sister was described 
(living) and her belongings. Also correct. 

The next spirit to describe themselves was her own Mother 
who passed out with cancer (Correct). This spirit showed me a 
picture of herself in old-fashioned clothes: panniers: large full 
sleeves, low round neck lace collar, hair brown and parted in 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


391 


center and held in place with a pin, loose curls down the back. 
She told this daughter that she never knew her as she was but 
had the picture of her in this costume and likeness. Admitted 
true. She described the surgeons, two, one large and one short, 
that they had done their best: her time had come. This 
Mother was anxious to prove her identity. She showed me 
an Army tent, with a cot made up all white, and the lap of the 
tent held back. (She said Army tent) Acknowledged. Her 
Mother was an Army nurse in ’69. This Mother in spirit de¬ 
scribed her daughter’s belongings, her trunks, what was in them, 
etc. An uncle also was described and acknowledged: then Aunt 
Maggie: all true, as given. And much more beside. 

Sunday, March 1, ’20. 

Dr. Valentine Wildman, Expert Psychologist, City employee: 
Skeptic and husband of Mrs. Wildman. Sitting given in Dr. 
Wildman’s home office, Sunday evening at Seven o’clock. An 
uncle, a sea Captain in uniform, old style, and his name (correct) 
his mother’s father (correct). Then his Mother, Charlotte, and 
his boyhood home, his school, games, description of his clothes, 
his mother described, in all the English costumes, and the thorn 
tree which smelled so sweet in the yard by his window: the 
little narrow winding stair without railing which led to the sec¬ 
ond story, the gooseberry jam she used to make and put up in 
stone jars, he used to help pick the berries, their dog, the spit 
which roasted the meat, the red tile floor, the “settee with 
rockers under the window where the geraniums were on the 
ledge (here she stopped for acknowledgment, which was given 
“Yes, yes, indeed”) and his brother’s name Tom, Thomas, called 
twice over. Then a spiritual message. She had a straightfor¬ 
ward glance a way of holding her head down as she spoke look¬ 
ing into the eyes of her son with a direct gaze. Brown eyes, 
hair brown, hat with ribbon around tied under the chin, a hat 
with a wide brim, etc. 

When I reached home found two friends of the landlady 
and herself trying a ouija board. Mrs. Dutcher, Mrs. Slocum, 
and Miss Nettie, cousin of Mrs. Dutcher. I put the board aside, 
and gave to all evidential proof of the spirits’ presence: all de¬ 
scribing their homes, persons, customs, trinkets, and gave each 


392 


MY Proof of Immortality 


their own advice. All acknowledged true, and all happy to give 
their assent that theirs were there. 

All my work is free. Never been paid, never expect to be 
paid for messages from the spirits. I find that no one gets all 
they wish: all wish for more at the close. 

Mrs. Perkins: Christian Scientist Practitioner: Friend of Mrs. 

Dutcher. Monday, March 2nd, ’20. 

Mrs. Perkins’ Mother, in lavender, thread lace, proved over 
and over that she was present. Her family silver described: 
herself: this daughter’s home, conditions therein, remedy for 
same, etc. Private. Her father also, and a sister. The crib of 
the lost child described, this woman’s powers too: she was told 
she could lie in bed and send her spirit out to find what she 
wanted to know (Admitted). She called this “visualizing”. As 
the C. S. do not believe in spirits, it was somewhat a surprise for 
me to be giving such a medium a sitting of proof. 

After she had received and acknowledged many spirits they 
described the cemetery lot and its graves and shaft and markers 
there. Two long graves with markers: one three fourths length: 
and at the end a little grave covered with myrtle. All of which 
was correct and acknowledged correct. 


Evidential Proof. Friday evening, Jan. 9th, 1920. 7:30. 

Mrs. (Dr.) Valentine Wildman Sr. (N. Y. C.) brought her 
friends, Mrs. Jackman and daughter. Mrs. Jackman’s relatives, 
the old stock, New Englanders, were all described as well as their 
homes, spinning wheels, etc. Aunt Susan, Mother, Father, an 
Uncle who did not give his name, but showed me that he stood 
back of a large Bible, while he spoke rested his left hand in his 
coat,—he was described as having gray whiskers and silver hair, 
broad white brow, said he was a minister of the gospel. Her 
friend Laura described herself, her property, a law-suit pending, 
etc. Another male relative having suffered melancholia, being 
comforted by Mrs. Jackman during this time, showed his great 
distress of mind, was described as tall, with a gray mustache, high 
forehead, iron gray hair, Prince Albert coat, double breasted,— 
he took a position sitting, at first, and I saw him holding his 
head, bent over, head in right palm,—he then rose and lifted his 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


393 


face to the heavens, raised his right arm pointed up, said: “I wish 
I could have done better than I did.” He wore a broad brimmed 
hat, a flower in his coat lapel,—gentlemanly bearing. 

All the above correct, and understood by Mrs. Jackman. 
This last spirit kept his secret: but sitter understood his distress. 
The impression I gleaned was that he had been a suicide, and 
wanted to impress her that he had not been responsible at the 
time: this is only impression, as I did not press this spirit to 
reveal his sorrow, as he was recognized at once, and this mind 
distress understood. The spirit, Laura, was a friend who had 
willed Mrs. Jackman Three Thousand Dollars. She was worth 
over a million: Mrs. J. always surmised, owing to their intimate 
friendship, that she had willed her more than this sum: this 
spirit intimated as much: advice as to law courts, etc. Her 
nephew, and the one who inherited all this spirit’s wealth were 
described as selfish and their home described, the boy was also 
described, and as living where she had passed out. All ad¬ 
mitted as true. A spirit called Aunt Jemima, was not recog¬ 
nized: this is the only one in two hours’ work unable to place 
themselves. Her Mother and Aunt Susan came together, and 
these were sisters. Names very plain. 

The daughter, Miss Jackman, was given her sitting in sym¬ 
bols. Some fires take kindling to start: some are started with a 
match. Well, you can never travel very far on the means of this 
one: better wait for a fire you can light with a match. (Under¬ 
stood) Around the corner they showed me a motor, square top, 
waiting for this girl. That is the one, said the voice. (Under¬ 
stood) Then I was shown Spring, the leaves just beginning 
to burst from the trees: two birds sitting close, close together on 
a branch, asleep. Their heads were bowed: their feathers were 
puffy: I saw night settling down. This was all understood by 
both Mother and daughter. Then they asked for the date to be 
set: when, when, they questioned. The voice said “when the 
birds mate: be saving: so many things to buy.” Understood by 
both sitters. 

Then my friend Mrs. Wildman wanted to know if her spirit 
friends had forsaken her: had she to go without a message ? So, 
after a whole evening of much more than I state here, digging, 
and answering questions, Mrs. Wildman was given two messages: 
one regarding Dr. her husband, one re-the household, and the 


394 


MY Proof of Immortality 


other, after describing her Mother, was re-Canadian property 
which was about to be sold, advising not to do it now but wait 
until later, times would bring better prices there later on. This 
was not for Mrs. Wildman but for a friend in distress who had 
come to her for advice re-same, and this showed that this Mother 
was present in spirit at that visit and took this chance to give 
the advice for Mrs. Wildman’s friend. Good evidence that she 
was here, n’est ce pas? 


Evidential Proof: Dec. 8th, T9. 

Mrs. (Dr.) Valentine Wildman, N. Y. C. 

New spirits came through this day, describing themselves, and 
proving they had been with her since last I saw Mrs. Wildman, 
almost one year ago, by describing her home conditions, her family 
in turn, etc. There was a set of china shown to me by a friend of 
this one’s Mother who came with her Mother on this day in spirit, 
—it was shown in this way: first, a tureen, oblong shape, having 
blue rims, and moss rose buds on the side. The spirit wished to 
emphasize that she had an entire set of this by showing me a plat¬ 
ter, a pitcher, a plate, all with the moss rose buds on them. Then 
she said: “Plate”. Showing me an old fashioned silver cake 
basket, of which there are no more, having round base and bas¬ 
ket shape top: she said: “You have this in your home, but it was 
mine formerly.” Correct. Then she said “Jeanette.” Correct. 
Her Mother had a chum, they were inseparable, this one was 
Jeanette and it is the first time she has ever been mentioned 
from the spirit side. 


Evidential Proof: Feb. 4th, 1924. Given at the Wildman resi¬ 
dence, N. Y. C. 

Four guests at luncheon at Mrs. Wildman’s home. After 
much discussion regarding spirit experiences of Mrs. Phillips, 
who is 80 years of age, who was for eighteen years the Matron 
of the Home for the Aged at Albany, and who wrote up her 
experiences psychic, for the YALE Review,—a spirit said to me, 
Sarah Shatford, “We should like to give a message to the only 
one here who has never had a word from hers in spirit: the lady 
right over there (pointing to Mrs. Eton, of N. Y. C.). “That 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 395 

is quite true,” said she, “I have not, but I should like very much 
to have.” 

The Mother of Mrs. Eton, in spirit, then described herself, 
her home, her fancy work, her chair by the window, the croquet 
set down on the' lawn under her window, her patch work, its 
design (as she turned this inside out to show me the seams there¬ 
of) and she said, “it was down in that yard that I used to watch 
those LARGE BLACK ROOSTERS WE HAD. I only need 
to say to her that I was noted for my LARGE GINGER 
COOKIES, and tell her this is only a small piece I am able to 
break off here and hand to her today. Continuing, this spirit 
Mother said: “I heard you speaking of clergymen at lunch table, 
we had one in our family who is here today, with that young 
girl who made her communion, the girl with those two broad 
blonde braids of hair,—But this one’s sister is in spirit, and longs 
to speak to her.” 

All of which, and more, was recognized at once by Mrs. Eton. 
And before all present. To Mrs. Phillips, a man who is in spirit 
described himself, his walking stick, its monogram, his watch 
and chain, the CLOCK HE WAS SO FOND OF HE WOULD 
NOT PERMIT ANYONE TO WIND BUT HIMSELF,—And 
a daughter-in-law in spirit dressed in pink, who had a habit of 
raising her right hand to her hair, (as she showed how she used 
to do this) spoke of family affairs, much as she would have in 
the flesh, discussing the different members, their private home 
life in fact,—All of which was readily acknowledged by Mrs. 
Phillips, before all present. 

To the woman beside me, who had been twice to Egypt, 
Mrs. Sprague, her own in spirit described themselves, the pic¬ 
tures on the wall, in the albums, her finances, desire to travel and 
take a companion along,—and the rest was of a private inter¬ 
view, which I cannot write down, but all told, and gratefully 
received, and understood. 

Mrs. Paula Allen’s Mother came in, from spirit, wiring her 
garden hat which “flops at the sides” as she said,—her apron full 
of peas from the garden, while she described, and showed to 
me, the arbor COVERED WITH GRAPE VINES WHERE 
SHE SAT TO SHELL THESE PEAS DRESSED AS DE¬ 
SCRIBED. Recognized by Mrs. Allen. As Mrs. Allen is her- 


396 


MY Proof of Immortality 


self a very good psychic, sees those out of the body, this was all 
given to her by my effort this afternoon. 

Mrs. Wildman’s Mother in spirit said to me, IF you could 
give more, please say to her for me that I see she must go to 
Canada soon, and I do so wish she would stop in the hotel until 
she is rested after her journey before she attempts to fathom 
conditions there, across the line.” All of which was compre¬ 
hended by Mrs. Wildman, who is certainly waiting to be called to 
Toronto, where her Lawyer has recently passed out, and to 
adjust her affairs. 


Evidential Proof, May 24th. 1920. New York City. 

Mrs. (Dr. H. Valentine) Wildman, Sr., whose guest I am 
at the above number, took me to the 81st St. theatre this after¬ 
noon. Our seats were fourth row front. On my left sat a 
large, handsome brunette type of matron, exquisitely gowned. 
She laughed heartily, and so did we. Marie Cahill was on the 
bill. Something unusual happened at this stage of the perform¬ 
ance. The spirit voice spoke to me saying: “There is a man 
here in a cape overcoat, wearing a square top derby, has a close 
cropped beard, smoked a cigar half and chewed the stub in the 
left corner of his mouth, has a roll of MSS. in his hand and a 
musical instrument. He was her husband. There is a lovely 
daughter in spirit with him.” 

At this stage I turned to my friend Mrs. Wildman and said, 
“I am getting a remarkable message for the woman on my left: 
shall I give it to her?” Mrs. Wildman said “No.” The voice 
of the spirit said, “Have mercy.” At this, I leaned over to the 
party on the left, apologized for addressing her, told her all the 
above, which was ALL RECOGNIZED by this stranger. Con¬ 
tinuing, the spirit voice said: “I was so glad when you took off 
that mourning veil. I see the conditions in the home: curses, 
furniture thrown around: names called. Throw your things in 
a box and take the ship and be off. Matters legal there are 
easily adjusted: go to (here I was shown a chalet a red tile 
roof, light walls, trees and shrubs,— (she recognized this house) 
He then said his partner had cheated him out of money and 
she should collect it. This she did not understand. Then I 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


39 7 


was at fault. For the spirit made it clear this was due him 
(when in life) and she should collect it. This was understood, 
then. (This was the only error on my part in the entire sitting, 
and I make note of it just as it came to me). The band was 
jazzing, and programs fluttering, people talking, but the spirit 
continued: “Cora: Fred: Zella. Recognized by the woman. He 
then spoke as follows, the spirit spoke on: I carried a black 
walking stick having a gold knob, PRESENTED TO ME BY 
MY COMPATRIOTS, “Yes: said the woman.” She has my 
ink well,” said the spirit. “Yes: said the woman.” Then the 
spirit said, “Reach over and take her left hand, tell her that 
first ring was mine.” She offered her hand, and I saw two 
wedding rings on the third finger: one a yellow band, and one 
a platinum chased ring. She acknowledged this also. Then 
the advice given her was regarding her second husband, evi¬ 
dently. 

“She would have been a grand-dame” said the spirit. “True” 
said the woman. I was then shown a wedding: royal attendants 
in red with gold braid: herself in a long white satin square 
trained gown, veil over her face and orange blossoms in a wreath 
on the head over the veil. Correct, she said. 

Now I have to record a strange thing. This woman, who 
had come to the theatre to be amused, was enjoying the per¬ 
formance up to the time I spoke to her, never laughed again. 
She did not thank me, ask me any questions, but smiled at me 
in parting, as I did to her. She left by one exit, while we left 
by another to go our separate ways, never to meet again, un¬ 
known to one another. Mrs. Wildman heard and witnessed this 
sitting. 


Evidential Proof: May 26th. 1920. New York City. 

Dr. H. V. Wildman, Sr. to whom I proved that his own 
“dead” were here and able to prove their own identity, who is a 
New York Alienist, now Major,. serving the U. S. in this ca¬ 
pacity: whose son is also an alienist (Lieut.) and I have proved 
to him also that the spirits do speak to some and are heard. 
Requested to go to a patient of Dr. Wildman’s Sr. Mrs. Matlock, 
The Cathillion, Cor Riverside Drive and 94th. St. Patient dying 



398 


MY Proof of Immortality 


with cancer. Had proved to her sister Mrs. Holden that all 
hers and theirs are here in spirit. 

Many remarkable proofs were vouchsafed to this dying 
woman. I was very happy to be asked to go to her as a Wildman 
patient also. She was told that an old gentleman, whose spirit 
she had seen twice was there. This spirit described himself: 
said I am the one who came and advised you to leave Kansas 
and come to N. Y. Admitted she had seen this spirit twice. 
He described her mining property: the condition of her estate: 
lands: finances, etc. 

The father and mother described themselves. Aunt Nancy 
too, with her peculiar personality, proved that she was none other, 
called her name, described her foolish life and the sorrow it 
brought her in spirit to see “that she had only unravelled and 
never knit up anything.” Correct. This one described her 
jewelry correctly, also costume. She was short. Traveled 
much, etc. 

Then a man in spirit cleared his throat several times, throat 
trouble. He had a beard, because they had told him he might 
be cured if he wore whiskers to protect his throat. He had been 
clean shaven, that was as she liked him best. (True, she said) 
He spoke of a trunk filled with papers. The invalid would not 
recognize it. “In the attic” spirit said. “Yes: I have such a 
trunk, she said then” Well, the spirit said: “Tear them all up. 
They are no account?” this woman asked. “No,” said this spirit, 
who used a gavel in life and wore a long black robe. “J—,” he said. 
“J—,” he said again. “Yes, Judge, I know you,” said the woman. 

Aunt Caroline gave advice regarding an ailing son: the Mother 
in spirit managed her vault papers, and told her this regarding 
her health. “Do not tamper with the tank: let it alone. There 
is nothing wrong with the wick: turn the light low, and it will 
last until the dawn.” This was understood. She was to be 
tapped, but it was forbidden by this mother in spirit. 

Then the family album was put on my lap by the spirits, 
and I was shown the family as she knew it. First the grand* 
father, then the father in a military uniform, all minutely de¬ 
scribed: a woman with two children, one across the lap and a 
small one standing by her side, hair in a net, low on the neck, 
hoop skirts, dress trimmed with velvet ribbon in rows, a narrow 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 399 

collar and a family pin (cameo) and a watch chain with a slide— 
all recognized. 

Her Aunt Caroline described her farm: the young girls 
bringing their beaux there, and all the rest which took me two 
hours, at sunset time. This woman sent for me a second time, 
and I went gladly: She was comforted to hear that they are 
waiting for her, life would flow gently as before, and many 
things regarding her own private affairs. 

All this is gratis to every sitter, as I have never been paid 
by anyone for anything done. 


Mrs. Wildman: 

Mrs. Wildman’s Mother in spirit described the back parlor 
of their home when she was living in body, and just where she 
sat, her sewing basket, herself and spectacles, which she USED 
TO LOOK OVER THE TOPS OF WHEN SPOKEN TO, 
and she said, “1 saw you handling that old lace collar of mine 
recently, I stood by and saw you/' Admitted true by Mrs. 
Wildman. 

The message of this Mother in spirit was private. 

Another spirit, a man, said: “She recalls how I used to 
slap my right leg with an exclamation, when I was in earnest, 
when I used that expression peculiar to me, which I do not 
use now, here.” Smilingly admitted understood by Mrs. Wild¬ 
man. “I wore a Scotchman’s cap: I played dominoes, those 
white ones, with her when I was sick: I wore fur lined gloves, 
and drove a cutter with sleighbells, had a black horse then. My 
fame rests with bridges, I was a builder of cantilevers.” All 
true, and admitted true. Then, this spirit said to me, Sarah 
Shatford, “I AM ABLE TO REACH HER NIGHTS, AND 
GET MY MESSAGES ACROSS FOR MYSELF IF THERE 
IS DANGER AHEAD I DO THIS, AND SHE KNOWS I 
HAVE BEEN THERE.” Admitted by Mrs. Wildman as true. 

“I HAD A GOLD TOOTH PICK. I WORE SMALL 
CHECK TROUSERS AT THAT TIME. I CALLED HER 
MARIE. THIS IS T. B.” Recognized as Tom Belcher, Cana¬ 
dian, the first husband of Mrs. Wildman. 

The balance of this message was private, of matters com¬ 
prehended by Mrs. Wildman. 



400 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof: 

Dr. H. Valentine Wildman, Sr., Aug. 10th, 1923, New York City. 

The spirit of a man stood before me. Describing for him, as 
he pointed to each feature he wished described, he said: “I was 
tall and lanky when we were young men, especially before I 
grew a beard. This beard I parted in the center and brushed 
out each side: my eyes were pale blue, and direct of gaze, these 
eyes, with clean, thin lips from which my moustache was trained 
so they would show, caused women to compliment me. You 
know this to be true. (Recognized, all the above). This spirit 
continued: “I was known as “The Judge” to you, I called you 
“Val”. (Acknowledged true by Dr. Wildman) The spirit then 
said: “In my day we wore white vests with pearl buttons: I 
wore a Prince Albert coat, high hat, which I stroked with my 
sleeve, so, (showing me how he had done this), and my grey 
trousers with a black line in them, and my white carnation in 
my lapel were a part of me. I used to lift the flower, so, and 
inhale its perfume (and I imitated the spirit, as he asked me 
to do) (All recognized by Dr. Wildman as being true) The 
spirit then said: “You recall my devotion to my Mother, and 
that I maintained her.” (I do, said Dr. Wildman) “You also 
recall the important case at Law which took my vitality, sleep 
being impossible, and that it was at this time I began to seek 
drink as an alleviation.” (That is true, said Dr. Wildman.) 
“This Law case,” said the spirit, “was renowned, was in all the 
news-print of the day.” (Yes, said the Doctor, it was) “Now,” 
said this spirit, “I wish to feel my way here today with you, until 
you are convinced forever that I am here in person. So I con¬ 
tinue to bring forth those things you are sure to remember of 
me. You remember that METAL CASE FOR MEMO¬ 
RANDUM WHICH I CARRIED IN MY VEST POCKET 
ON THE LEFT SIDE? THIS LONG? AND SO WIDE? 
THE TOP COVER SLIDING, SO?” (I certainly do remem¬ 
ber it, said Dr. Wildman.) “Well,” said the Judge, “I have 
marked down other things on that today for you, so you will not 
wonder if it is true any longer. For I stand beside you when 
you read those books at night wondering if the dead are here. 
My signature: I had a way of circling the whole name AFTER 
I HAD FINISHED THE H: do you recall this?” “I do:” said 
Dr. Wildman: “I recall it well.” This friend, Judge Hatch, then 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


401 


went into his own private affairs, too sacred to write down or 
publish, asking a favor of his friend before him in a body, which 
he comprehended, and promised to execute for him. All ap¬ 
plied to the living known of Dr. Wildman. This spirit then 
went into Dr. Wildman’s business office, described the men there. 

A fine, tall spirit of a man in uniform, having an English 
sea captain’s uniform, stood before me then. This spirit told 
of his commissions to foreign ports. Then he gave a message 
in symbol to his son in a body, all of which was comprehended 
by him to whom it was given, after which this spirit said, “Your 
Mother is with me today, see her hand in mine”: And a large 
muscular hand HAVING AUBURN HAIR ON THE BACK, 
held A SHORT, PLUMP, WHITE HAND ON WHICH 
RESTED ON THE RING FINGER A DIAMOND CLUS¬ 
TER RING. This was at once recognized as his father’s and 
Mother’s hands. Dr. Wildman said: “I know that ring well, 
and her hand was just like that, as well as my father’s tallied 
with that description you gave. And the epaulettes were his, 
and that square hat without sides, was his ship visor.” 


Evidential Proof: Dr. Wildman, Nov. 1923. 

A spirit said “Here is a man who was fond of the sea. A 
Captain. A saying of mine he will recollect was: I AM what 
I make MYSELF, I own WHATSOEVER I make.” (Recog¬ 
nized by Dr. Wildman) “This is Father,” said this spirit, 
then.— “He recalls how I used to mix up the sulphur in that 
small cup, sending him for the jug of syrup: and how I made 
him take it, too. He remembers my silver watch I used to 
handle, fondle as it were while speaking. The case became thin. 
His Mother said I rubbed it so it wore off.” (Recognized 
willingly by Dr. Wildman) “His Mother is here, and a young 
man,” said the spirit. “I need only say to him tonight that whilst 
he partook of that dried fig at table how I recalled the many 
small boxes of those figs he bought for me. This is Mother. 
Do you remember the little yellow boxes with the green leaves 
pressed on the top layer of figs?” “I do,” said Dr. Wildman, 
“and I did buy them for her.” This spirit continued: “You re¬ 
member how I wept at one time, taking your head on my breast, 
telling you that if you had made such a decision I would give 



402 


MY Proof of Immortality 


in to you.” Yes, I remember this, also,” said Dr. Wildman. 
“You inherit your love for time pieces from your Father, he too 
was a connoisseur of old dials.” “True,” said Dr. Wildman. 

Mr. & Mrs. Kilcullen, neighbors, came in here. And Dr. 
Wildman discussed her malady, and told her just exactly what 
her Grandmother in spirit had told her last week regarding same, 
verifying the advice, for this spirit, that she gave her grand¬ 
child. We spoke of this together, and how miraculous it seemed. 

A friend of the Doctor’s in spirit said to him, “I used to 
part my hair in the middle until the ladies told me it was too 
feminine with my mouth and made me too much of a ladylike 
man, when I changed and parted it on the side again. I used to 
match coins with him. I wore a white carnation, and was fond 
of taking my lapel, so, and smelling the flower when talking. 
(Recognized by Dr. Wildman) “I want to say that I saw you 
write that letter and mail it, and the reply will be O.K. to it.” 
And the balance of the spirit’s talk was private, as he described 
the room, changes there, etc. (All of which was recognized as 
true, and understood by the Doctor.) 


Evidential Proof: Thanksgiving Evening, 1923. 

Dr. H. V. Wildman , Sr. 

“There is a Father here whose entire trouble was intestinal,” 
said a spirit. “Yes,” said Dr. Wildman. “This is my Boy,” 
said this spirit, then: “AND HE WILL RECALL HOW AD¬ 
VERSE I WAS TO ALL RED HEADS.” Dr. Wildman 
laughed, and said, “Yes, I do.” Then this spirit Father went 
into the Doctor’s affairs, describing his business office, where his 
desk is placed, those yellow papers on which he must place his 
approval mark (all recognized as true) and then described those 
working in that office today. All of which was understood. 
“Your Mother is here,” said this Father, then. 

A spirit of a Lady in pale yellow, having a comb in her hair, 
then showed herself to me asking that I describe her costume, 
which I did, her hair, how it was mixed with gray, how dressed, 
etc. This spirit then said, “My Boy will remember MY 
FRENCH BASKET FOR THE DINING ROOM TABLE 
HE HAS SEEN ME FILL IT OFTEN WITH BUTTER¬ 
CUPS AND DAISIES.” “Yes indeed I have,” said Dr. Wild- 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


403 


man at once. “And he will recall how I disliked to see his vest 
unbuttoned, and would go up to him and button those two or 
three buttons in the centre, there, where he would leave them 
open. (Acknowledged recalled) “AND THIS BOY USED TO 
SET MY MOUSE TRAPS FOR ME, he remembers that, I 
know,” said this spirit Mother. “I do, indeed,” said Dr. Wild- 
man. 

After this proof, this Mother chatted over affairs past and 
present, giving more proof as she spoke, each time, that no one 
but his own could give, that could only come from the dead them¬ 
selves, much of it family secrets, or jokes. 

For I desire to say that souls are humans too, and love fun: 
oh yes, as much, and more than those in bodies. 


Evidential Proof: Evening, Feb. 14th, 1922. N. Y. C. 

“BELLE”—(Colored) Maid of Mrs. Dr. H. V. Wildman, 
Sr. sent with some rheumatism pills for me. I did not ask her in. 
So she said, Mrs. Wildman has said so much about you, and she 
said she did not know if you could spare the time to give me 

something, but that if you could- “Come in,” said I. Be 

seated. She sat at my left, holding a prayer book, which she had 
brought with her. I asked no questions. The voice said: 
“Granny is here. The little old lady who raised you. She earned 
her living with her needle. Do you remember how she taught 
you to forgive? When you came to her and said someone had 
injured you, she sent you to ask THEIR forgiveness, because 
Jesus had taught that was the way?” “Yes, indeed, I do,” said 
“Belle”. “Do you recall how you used to come running in and 
put your little face on my shoulder, in my neck?” “Yes, indeed,” 
said “Belle”. Then, this spirit showed me herself (in the film 
of my brain, NOT in front of my eyes at all) and she had a 
hand full of geranium slips in one hand and a trowel in the other, 
“going out to plant them beside the tall, broad picket fence, where 
the cow was eating on the other side of the fence”—“Yes, in¬ 
deed,” said Belle, now. 

This Granny in spirit then went into all this girl’s affairs of 
work-a-day for her. All understood. 

Next, a negro soldier, having a bronze medal on his left 
side, told how this girl had fixed him up like the white boys to 




404 


MY Proof of Immortality 


go to war, earned his fixings herself. How glad he was to greet 
her. He said: “YOU TOOK ME TO THE RIVERFRONT 
AND MADE ME TO MAKE YOU A PROMISE, before I 
went across the water to fight. And I KEPT THAT PROM¬ 
ISE I MADE YOU, SISTER. And that is why I am able to 
speak to you tonight. YOU MADE ME PROMISE YOU 
THAT I WOULD NEVER PULL THAT TRIGGER ON A 
HUMAN BEING.” “It is true,” said Belle. “It is true: All 
of it is true.” 

Then, this brother, whose body lies IN France today, told 
more of all he took along from this sister, how SHE STOOD 
AND WATCHED HIM MARCH DOWN THE WIDE 
STREET, and how proud he was to do it, etc. etc. Told of the 
trust placed in him by the white soldiers, because of his honor, 
and how she had made him religious, and kept him out of one 
scrape he almost got into through this very religion of hers. 
“That is true, too,” said Belle. Then, this brother proved to 
this sister in her body still, how he passed out: did not linger, 
was killed outright at the first shot and fell. And he described 
the man in the body who refused to “empty the ash cans any 
longer, because you support him” (worked for the City in this 
capacity, she told me later) but he COULD use a broom, and 
let him. Then, told how to manage her problem—where to go, 
what to do after she PACKED THAT BLACK BAG,—take the 
train BACK WHERE THEY TOOK THAT SQUARE BAS¬ 
KET HOME WITH CLEAN CLOTHES IN IT, WHERE 
THE SWING WAS HAVING A BOARD IN IT, WHERE 
THEY RODE IN OLD FARM WAGONS, WITH BARE 
LEGS AND CHILDREN, AND SPREAD THEIR PICNIC 
STUFF BY THE LITTLE STREAM—(all acknowledged 
true) and that he was with her to repay her for what she had 
done for him, and would do so. The little brother who was old 
for his age and said such wise things, about so high (ten or so) 
well he is here too— 

And when this girl rose to go, her chum in the spirit world, 
who longed to play the piano but could only get a jews harp 
and mouth organ, but used to play and go to school with their 
slates together,—they were inseparable as girls, she is here too. 
And Mother’s sister, who WAS NOT ON GOOD TERMS 
WITH MOTHER WHEN SHE DIED, WPIOSE HUSBAND 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


405 


CUT HIS THROAT, AND WHO LEFT SEVERAL SMALL 
CHILDREN—WHO HAD PASSED OUT WITH AN OPER¬ 
ATION, well she too is here,—and she sent a message of pardon 
to the sister still in her body. All of which was recognized by 
Mrs. Wildman, as well as this servant, as true, and astonishingly 
correct in every detail. 

(Note) I wish I could give for “White folks” as pure and 
Christian a communion, as fine and true delineations of charac¬ 
ters, as this colored maid’s. And she told me how she LIVED 
her religion, saying, I have been to the hospital with Two lbs. of 
candy today for the crippled soldiers, and distributed it among 
them. The money for this she EARNED at HARD LABOR: 
and this was why she had her Bible with her, she said, some¬ 
times the boys asked her to pray with them or read to them. 


Evidential Proof: April, 1920. 

Miss Wolfe: Sent by Mr. Henry Elenboggen 

After Mr. Elenboggen’s sitting, Miss Wolfe asked if she 
might not have a sitting. I do not know Miss Wolfe—never 
saw her, or knew anyone who knew her. The first spirit to de¬ 
scribe himself was her grandfather. His appearance, his smok¬ 
ing coat (checkered) his chair among the ferns at the window,— 
how he had shown her the rudiments of music, placing her hands, 
etc. Told how she found him sewing on his own buttons and 
took the garment away from him and sewed them on for him, 
then he had taken out a purse and given her a bill. This spirit 
told how he had taken the place of a father to this one: the close 
and dear relationship, described a three-legged piano toy she had: 
and her doll carriage. Told her of two positions, describing one 
as where she took her own paper, and the other where she would 
write in a book, and chose the one where she would write in a 
book for her. This spirit told of his sums saved which had 
helped over for a time. He spoke of another’s home life describ¬ 
ing the one he meant, with a child in her arms, weeping, told it 
was lack of money, and why: he sometimes went there, he said. 
Her religious pictures were described, and the lights she burned 
near these. He told of approaching marriage, how she was to 
economize and help, etc. Gave fatherly advice regarding her 



406 


MY Proof of Immortality 

part of this union. He described his malady which had taken 
him out of the body. 

I cannot recall the names that were called. It was a long 
sitting, and Miss Wolfe admitted all was true as described. A 
more delighted girl I have never seen. This was her father 
(grand) who had been a father to her, and it was from this one 
alone she came to hear. I do not recall the rest of the sitting. 
(Admitted by sitter as evidential proof) 


Miss Elenboggen: Who came with Miss Wolfe: 

A very young girl. The voice said: “She does not care so 
much if the spirits are here as to have one single question an¬ 
swered/' She laughed. Then the spirit showed me a diamond 
ring on her third finger, saying “If you put it on, you will take 
it off and give it back.” The whole sitting was a warning, in 
fact. All told in symbols, and perfectly understood by the young 
lady. There was an old horse which one desired to swap for 
a new one, a younger one: was it right? Why should she not 
desire a new harness as well? To build with white stones a 
beautiful house: even if she could only lay the foundation, it 
was to be of white, pure, enduring marble. Then, a most inter¬ 
esting thing happened. A young girl is here in spirit. One who 
wore such beautiful clothes. She passed out with lung trouble, 
suddenly, pneumonia, she was there without knowing she might 
die even, she said. Said she was always fussing with her hair, 
which was red. All recognized by Miss E. The reference to fine 
clothes was comedy, as the girl had not had these, in fact had not 
all she needed, was minus something to wear. The one in the 
body to whom she spoke was well supplied, and extravagant—in 
this way I do not recall if she gave her name, or if I could get 
it: the hour was late and this was all I was allowed to give for 
this time. It was nearly twelve. 


Mrs. Jackson: friend of Mrs. Dr. Wildman Sr.: 

N. Y. C. 

Mrs. Jackson had two sittings. The first one was remark¬ 
able in that her Mother described combs, sealskin coat, jet cape, 
brocaded satin with a long square train, the sitter's domestic 
tragedy, her part in getting her a sum, etc. Her problems too, 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


40 7 


and the album of her ancestors, a group picture fully described. 
An Army man, a home, the exact status of the wife’s people, and 
a full description of the wedding and the home where it occurred. 
Mrs. Jackson said, at the close, that she knew her Mother was 
walking hand in hand with her Saviour, and while she knew T 
could not know this from her own mind or mine, she was not 
satisfied that it was her Mother’s spirit. Mrs. Wildman there¬ 
fore had me to dinner and Mrs. Jackson also. When we were 
having dessert, the voices began. Her sister in spirit was de¬ 
scribed. Her creamy skin, her beautiful hands, her needlework, 
the patterns of same (strawberries) her handmade petticoats 
made by herself. She was fond of caramels, not the kind wrapped 
in papers but the kind you beat, she said (fudge). She was an 
adept in making this confection: had many recipes, and collected 
same (good). Then she showed me a pair of high bronze, per¬ 
forated boots, and said: “Do you remember the GOLD FILI¬ 
GREE BEADS? DO YOU REMEMBER HOW WE USED 
TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL?” At this, Mrs. Jackson 
placed her head on her arm, bowed her head and wept aloud. 
It was her own sister: these were all remarkable tests. There 
was much more, along the same lines, over and over. When I 
thought I had finished a long sitting (three hours) we sat listen¬ 
ing to the Victrola. A picture was shown me of a soft, fine 
haired mustache. One is here who wore pearl studs, and dia¬ 
mond cuff-links, had brown hair, and a soft, fine silky brown 
mustache. He walked with this one, his sister, smoked a cigar, 
and looked up to the stars, while he made her a proposition, 
which she turned down (And they showed me a playing card 
turned down) He showed me a large wallet filled with green¬ 
backs. (Admitted by Mrs. Jackson that it was her brother who 
had tried to spare her marital misery, but she would not heed him. 
The description was all perfect of this brother. 

He wanted “to speak to her alone regarding No. 2.” This 
I did not understand, but they did. A young daughter he de¬ 
scribed; her tastes (sport) and alluded to a sportsman, which 
was all understood. 

NOTE: I did not and do not know Mrs. Jackson, other than 
this sitting reveals. 


408 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Matlock’s Sister: At Mrs. Wildman’s house 

Sunday, April 26th, 1920. 

The bell rang and Mrs. Wildman went down to the drawing¬ 
room, and did not return to her room, where I was. Deciding 
I would not wait for the caller to leave I put on my wrap and 
was about to go downstairs when Mrs. Wildman came in with a 
stranger I had not seen before. She asked me to wait, and if I 
would see what I could get for this friend, who had come to see 
the Doctor who was out. It was a most satisfactory sitting. 

A woman, having no faith in spirits: perhaps little in a 
hereafter. A father and mother were together in spirit who 
stood with arms lovingly linked, and side by side. A child (six) 
was with them: her sister’s life in the body who has several 
cancers was described and the condition shown me. Also the 
fleeting time she would be here in the body. This sister’s hus¬ 
band stood before the one I saw: he described his mansion in the 
west he had loved: its vines, its round porch, its mountains at 
the back, its approach by a winding white road: the dissatisfac¬ 
tion there which had made him unhappy: he described his lands 
ore fields (gold) shown me, for the development of which he had 
taken money and given no return : his “simple” son was then 
described, and his prospects: this one must take care of him 
after his mother came to spirit, etc. 

A College Professor was in spirit, and recognized. Then a 
beautiful currant bush was shown me, and a woman in a white 
sun-bonnet standing beside it on a gravel road leading into a clap¬ 
board barn having a cupola: and AUNT CADDIE—was given. 
Yes, said the sitter, it is all recognized: then a milk pail foaming 
with milk, and she in spirit said “You know how I helped with 
the interest.” Yes, said this woman in the body before me. 
UNCLE NED, said the voice. Yes, said the woman, it is her 
husband. That is right. Then this spirit gave messages for the 
one dying of cancers, to the effect that the pattern she had made 
was the best she could possibly do WITH THAT THREAD 
SHE HAD.” Would she tell her this, as she worries, and is 
afraid to die? (True) 

I cannot recall the rest. All the above was recognized as 
true before Mrs. Wildman, who witnessed the sitting. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


409 


Others: Miss Nettie Clenen: Mrs. Wispel: Mrs. Girvin: 
Mrs. Hand: (2) Mrs. Slocum (second sitting) Amelia Bing¬ 
ham (Apr. 27th, ’20) (5) The Russian Girl at the Dye Shop 
(wonderful results, tests (two) given over the counter) A 
woman who sat at table in a cafe, who- was in trouble: Dr. H. 
Valentine Wildman, Sr. and Dr. Valentine Wildman, Jr. (both 
alienists) N. Y. C. (All recognized and admitted) 

(Miss Clenen has had twenty sittings; they have gone back 
two generations for her; called names, described clothes, an¬ 
tiques, horses, games, food, farms, and have used favorite ex¬ 
pressions, such as “it will be a cold, wet day,” etc., an expression 
of her Mother’s: Lide, Fanny, Carrie, Uncle John, etc., called. 


Evidential Proof: .Sunday, Feb. 22nd, 1920. 

The servant in this house, mother of a family of children 
of three, a Catholic who takes Holy Communion every morning, 
and who does not believe in spirits, has been importuned by one 
to allow of a message. “This one has a father in spirit who 
would like to speak to her.” At last she permitted me to descend 
into her quarters on a Sunday afternoon when the children were 
out, and this is the result: 

“There is a spirit here from County Clare. (Laughter: 
acknowledgment.) This spirit described himself: their Ireland 
home, the roof, the windows, the trellis in front by front door, 
red roses on it, the one flag stone walk, crooked, to the front, 
the spotted cow, the lamb with a bell on its neck which used to 
follow her around the house and pluck at her dress from behind 
to be noticed, the donkey cart which carried them to school, the 
old lady with a cap having a ruffle on it behind, a black alpaca 
apron, shape described with a button at the back, Ellie was her 
name, she used to sew, they stopped at her house for “curds and 
whey” from school, she sent a square basket, square handle 
covered with a white cloth home with them,—her house de¬ 
scribed, its window, curtains, plants. All true and acknowledged 
as true. The old man with a red beard was next. Cork, he 
said. (True.) Proud of the swine he raised. True. He came 
near being a strawberry blonde he said. True. All and more, 
given free, to this one, and advice about returning to the old 



410 MY Proof of Immortality 

country: her mother in the body described her ailment, etc. His 
land described. 

The dressmaker’s name was Nellie, and these children called 
her ELLIE. Correct. 

Anna now asks me each morning if there “were any spirits 
in for her last night ?” 


The following clipping from the Eve. Sun, Jan. 19th, ’20. 
Given a most conspicuous place. And yet some of the Churches 
do not, and will not allow their flocks to believe in spirits. 
Then how was this “cure” effected? 

RELIC OF ST. ANN CURES CROSSEYES 


Girl One of Many Relieved of Afflictions at 12th Street Church 


The miraculous and instantaneous straightening of the 
crossed eyes of little Rosa Cusack, five years old, after the bone 
of St. Ann had been applied first to one and then to the other 
of her infected eyes was only another of the many cures which 
have taken place in the same way in St. Ann’s Church, 110 East 
Twelfth street, says the Rev. J. Hammersley Southwick, a curate 
of this Roman Catholic church. 

“The child, the daughter of an evidently poor woman of 
Brooklyn, went into the church shortly after 12 o’clock on Fri¬ 
day last with one of the worst cases of crossed eyes that I have 
ever seen,” Father Southwick explained. “After the cure had 
been applied by the Rev. Dr. William Sinnott, pastor, her eyes 
became perfectly normal. The mother was overcome and had to 
be assisted to the rear of the church. She was too happy to 
talk then and promised to return and tell me more of the details 
connected with the child’s former condition. 

“But this is not an unusual case with us. Old and young, 
crippled, blind, deaf, dumb—in fact, persons suffering from every 
kind of affliction—have come to this altar during the semi-annual 
novena period and have gone away whole. It is all very simple 
to us. The bone of St. Ann, relic of the Blessed Virgin’s mother, 
is the medium through which the individual reaches God, and 
through it there is a cure for everyone who has sufficient faith 





By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


411 


in the Almighty. Of course, everyone who comes in isn’t cured 
of his defect, because it is not everyone who has sufficient trust 
and belief. 

“The relic has belonged to this church for twenty-five years. 
It was brought from Rome by Mgr. Preston, but it was only five 
years ago that we began to have these novenas to St. Ann, when 
the bone was exposed for veneration. Every January and every 
July since that time this custom has been observed.” 


THE SUN DIAL 


“I like the city,” says Sir Oliver Lodge, “but I don’t like your 
telephones. They are too active, much more active than in Eng¬ 
land and much better, too, I imagine. People complain about 
the service? Well, it’s better than in England, where the papers 
are filled with jokes about the telephone service.” 

We hope and pray that the telephone service will try to live 
up to this praise, at least while Sir Oliver is in the country. Some 
of us have found it harder to get in touch with a friend a mile 
away, by telephone, than it is for Sir Oliver to establish com¬ 
munication with the spirit land. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: March 15th, 1922. New York City, 

Endicott Hotel. 

“Alice”,-RESTAURANT, New York City. 

This morning a young woman with bobbed hair waited on 
me, and as she left my side a spirit spoke to me saying: “This 
girl has a Mother and Sister in spirit. Tell her Cousins should 
not marry, their offspring may be mentally queer. Tell her.” 
I asked this spirit, “Who are you? Prove who you are and I 
will give her your message.” The voice said: “Sister: I wore a 
short gold chain twisted like a rope, of two strands, with a cross 
on it—so long.” (Showing me an inch and a half) “Very well,” 
said I. When “Alice” came back I gave her this message, which 
she acknowledged was all true, and understood by her. Her 
Mother in spirit then told her how she watched over her, with 
this young sister, also in spirit, how they knew of this one’s 






412 


MY Proof of Immortality 


engagement, to the man who put her off, giving her no engage¬ 
ment ring, borrowing her money which she lent him, how he had 
wrung one woman dry and thrown her aside, how she wanted 
to save her from the same fate, and never to permit a marriage 
ring to go on her finger from that one but to drop him at once, 
that he played cards with her money she earned and loaned him, 
(all of which she knew to be true and she recognized as true and 
acknowledged) and, I must write it down that you mortals who 
read this may know how spirits try to help theirs in the body, 
as well as how they see and know all, this spirit Sister told this 
young woman, “I was there when he pulled up your dress, to 
feel your stockings, and I wanted to give him a black eye/’— 
(Understood and acknowledged by “Alice”) Then these spirits 
told theirs in a body to go back to Petersburg VA. VA. VA. they 
said three times (Understood by Alice) 

Last night this spirit Mother came in to me to say, “You 
were right I am in spirit with the Sister,—this girl ran away 
from home, and I worried for her so it broke my heart, and her 
sister came after me for the same reason. Tell her this, for she 
cannot understand how you spoke for us.” When this spirit 
came in to me in the night, she said: “Bobbed hair.” Yes, said 

I, for the little girl at-. This is told that mortals can 

see how spirits label themselves always, in every case, not with 
their names, but something belonging to them or theirs, or their 
professions—anything but their names, usually, although some 
give these as plain and true as any human voice could. 

The next morning (March 16th) I told Alice what her 
mother had wished me to, and she said: “That is true.” “But 
I knew that was my Mother and sister when you gave me that 
message, for no one else could tell me those things but spirits. 
And I did not know, when you spoke to me, if either my Mother 
or sister were living. I have not heard from them for three 
years.” 


Evidential Proof: March 4th, 1922. New York. 

During this last week, with my own work of writing, etc., 
I have been used to give messages of proof for the following 
people: 

Miss Adah Conner, Miss Jeanette Clenen, Miss Louise 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


413 


Hauschild, Mrs. Marion Hraba, Mrs. H. V. Wildman, Sr., Mrs. 
Wildman’s Maid “Belle” (second reading), Miss Marguerite 

—- for her sister, and “Kate”; (recognized) and Mrs. 

Kate M. Healy, now Housekeeper of the-And two 

days of messages for Helen Hayes (Mrs. B. R.) 

I mention these, as I only see those who force me to 
see them, or my friends who send their friends or those in 
trouble to me. 

Many remarkable things happened in these sittings. Miss 
Conner’s Father in spirit, and her brother, proved themselves 
alive by giving descriptions of their belongings, house, tastes, etc. 
and the father opened a bureau drawer of his bedroom (used to 
be) describing the bureau, and its contents to his daughter. Her 
work, and her co-workers were described, and recognized. And 
her difficulty known, proved it was known, and advice given on 
same. It was for this Miss Conner came to see me this week. 
All messages free. 

The negro-Indian maid of Mrs. Wildman Sr. was given 
tests which in themselves should prove for all time spirit 
return. Her Grandfather was a full-blooded Choctaw Chief. 
He was here, described a sacred small pointed stone, keep¬ 
sake revered to his tribe and belonging to him which, if he 
could bring her wealth or this stone he would choose to bring 
the stone. This was recognized as true. The maid asked 
where it was. And she was told where it was buried. This 
Indian brought all hers from spirit here to my side. Her 
Mother’s brother, her young sister who gave her name “NIG”— 
told of all that had occurred to them as growing girls, described 
the cabin and the Indian rug on the floor in front of the cot, 
where the pictures cut from the newspapers were on the walls. 
Told how she hated to wash the dishes and let the soap melt in 
the water so her Mother would not make her wash them. Told 
of her sweethearts, what had happened to her and them, de¬ 
scribed herself, and said: “You know the man in the gray flan¬ 
nel shirt in the basement?” NO, said the maid. “The one with 
the narrow shoulders and the thick neck, and the gray flannel 
shirt with the white buttons, he has gray hair at the sides?” 
“Yes,” said the maid. “Well, (said this sister’s spirit) if you 
don’t want trouble stay away from where trouble’s at.” It was 
understood all right. The Indian Chief told of all his family, 




414 


MY Proof of Immortality 

and their customs,—his error in driving away from home this 
brother of her Mother’s whom he brought with him in spirit— 
then he told of this girl’s Mother’s physical condition, her opera¬ 
tion impending, what it was for, and gave advice to both Mother 
and girl regarding life. Again let me say, if the “white folks” 
were as white as this tribe, showed souls to be half so clean, 
religion half so true, I would be benefited through mediumship 
messages instead of depleted when the “white”? folks leave me 
to recover after searching records for the dead-living ones to 
prove themselves alive, and to help them on and out of difficul¬ 
ties, pain, woes. 


A letter from a stranger acknowledging evidential proof given 
through S. T. S. 

This woman was at the counter (News, Cigars, etc.) in the 
- Hotel, where I stopped to get a passport to Eng¬ 
land. One day she looked ill, and I asked how she was. 
She replied with tears in her eyes that she was “tired of living, 
anyhow.” I then asked her to come to my room if she had time, 
I might be able to help in some way. 

She was a refined, dainty sort—a woman of perhaps 38. I 
knew no one in the hotel, no one knew me. 

She came to my room that day, and as we conversed on 
her problems a spirit broke in with “tell her Budd is here.” She 
did not know I was a medium: we had not yet spoken of spirits. 
But I asked her if she knew anyone in the spirit who had that 
name. Her face broke into smiles like the sun breaks through 
a cloud. Well she should say she DID. 

Then keep still, I said, don’t tell me anything, but I will see 
what I can get for you, telling her that spirits spoke to me. 
She had been twice married: first one she divorced was the 
father of two grown children, one a boy in France, one a girl 
married to a soldier “Arizona” said the voice (true) etc. 

This “Budd” told how he had been given a chance by this 
girl and how he had always loved her children as his. “Nuts”, 
he said. How she laughed at this. This had been a word be¬ 
tween the children and him: they had it as a by-word: He even 
described the rugs on their floor in the California bungalow. Her 
father, and as she tells in this letter, but only partially, she came 




415 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

many times and got much proof as no mortal could furnish. 

I asked her for this letter. While I have filed many remark¬ 
able letters in the archives of the American P. R. S. and Torch 
Press Inc. files, this is one I have not filed, and so include it here. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 

-Hotel, 

New York City, August 9th, 1919. 

In appreciation of remarkable evidential proof that my own 
loved ones survive and are present, in spirit, received through 
Mrs. Sarah T. Shatford, who was a perfect stranger to me, and 
I a stranger in this city. 

The first time I saw Mrs. Shatford she gave me a message 
from my husband, in spirit, described him, called his name and 
he told of incidents of our lives together, describing our home 
on the coast of Washington, used expressions peculiar to him¬ 
self and gave me advice regarding property and finances he only 
could have known I possessed. 

This spirit called the names of my two children, Florence 
and Esther (and Florence is a boy and that was brought out) — 
described their lives also. 

My father, in spirit, described himself perfectly, even his 
hunting coat. The names also called by her and given by the 
spirit truthfully were as follows and messages from each one of 
these: Jim, a very old friend; Rex, my own daughter’s husband; 
my uncle, my mother’s brother, each one figuring out their own 
identity. Uncle, sweetheart, husband, father and called my 
father’s name “Will,” etc. A servant named Polly, of my moth¬ 
er’s in our old home described herself and told her occupation— 
my grandmother told of her spinning and gave a description of 
herself. 

As this is my first experience in hearing through mortals 
of the spirits of my loved ones, and I want to say here how 
grateful I am, I accept this opportunity to repay Mrs. Shatford 
for her kindness as she accepts no fee and makes no charge. 

Very truly yours, 

Anne E. Sandmeyer. 

(Mrs. A. L. Sandmeyer) 



416 


MY Proof of Immortality 


March 28th, 1920. 

Evidential Proof: Sittings given to friends, and their friends, 

and not registered: 

Updike (Mrs.) Friend of Mrs. H. Valentine Wildman. 

Wispell (Mrs.) Brooklyn Friend of Mrs. Wildman. 

Miss Nettie Clenen, Mrs. May Hutchinson, relatives of 
Mrs. C. L. Dutcher. 

Anna Keenan (Mrs.) the maid in this house. 

Dr. H. Valentine Wildman, Sr. alienist—whose spirit friend’s 
home of boyhood, clothes of his relatives, house in England de¬ 
scribed in detail, his pastimes, picking the gooseberries for jam, 
the sea Captain, grandfather, his aunt, and Mother. The thorn 
tree in the yard, the “settee with rockers under the window where 
the geraniums were”; the narrow, winding stairs, his room at the 
head, the bell on the school house, the cricket games there, hedge 
tall, spit in old fireplace, large square red tiles on room floor, 
round woven mat, etc. Uniform of the Captain, his fortune, 
his Mother’s gown, hat, throat-ribbon of black velvet; face, hair, 
eyes, all described correctly. Stone jars in which she used to 
put down the jam—much other evidential proof beside. 

Updike: Her Soldier son: his rank, uniform, passing, per¬ 
sonal description all correctly described. The last talk between 
these two described, when they each had their arms about one 
another, on the cushions by the green lamp, when her promise 
asked of him was recalled, told it had been given, and kept. I 
heard the word “purple” several times: as it meant nothing I 
did not give it out: it was one of the best proofs given: she had 
had a spirit vision, had seen this son’s spirit face, in a purple 
sunset near her own face. Mrs. Updike’s Mother, a young 
woman, her child with dimples all described and proved. 

Wispell: Her father, his farm, the gipsy tent on it, what 
the gipsies had told her, the whitewashed rocks in the driveway, 
the duck pond, all correctly given. Ellen, red-headed Ellen, then 
said a spirit (recognized) but it was not red, it was auburn, said 
Ellen in spirit. This had been her way of denying she had red 
hair. A friend of the family. Many perfect proofs not now 
recalled except that it was a remarkable sitting. 

Hutchinson: After Mrs. Hutchinson’s husband described his 
person, ailments, clothes, her gifts to him, the trinkets he wore, 
his demise, their home life, her inability to carry her babies to 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


417 


maturity, the conditions at home, her health, etc. Her Mother, 
and a Mother of a boy whom she is raising made this a remark¬ 
able sitting also. This Mother ended her talk by saying: “I see 
they killed a deer up at your place this winter.” Which was true. 
This is one who lives in the hills, never heard of her or hers. 

Clenen: Uncle John (Mr. Dutcher) gave wonderful tests 
proving he was here. For this woman war worker, the spirits 
went back three generations. I cannot recall the remarkable 
facts, they are too many. Her aunt who wore a thimble without 
a top: Her mother’s pink sunbonnet with buttons on it: their 
family lives : food: a golden wedding held in a school house where 
“they brought the whole outside inside.” An old man who said 
“EASTON: bully”—which was a reference to Easton Farms, 
and “bully” was the woman who lived there and used this word. 
Lide, Jake, Matty, a broncho buster, all recognized. 

Evidential Proof: 

A Collector: at my door. (Bill on file.) 

Nov. 11th, 1923. 

A collector for the-Company, presented this bill at 

my door. While I spoke to this undersized young man, with 
small black eyes, wearing a cap, and a white jacket, about a bill 
he held in his hand, a spirit spoke to me, Sarah Shatford, saying: 
“He is my Boy: I want to help him: tell him to beat it quick: I 
wore a RED BEARD, AND A TICKING APRON AND 
SHINGLED THE ROOFS OUT WEST: tell him, for I want 
to help him.” 

Meanwhile I said to this spirit Father, “Go on, and tell 
me what you wish to say and I will hold him until I get it, 
and try to help you.” This spirit then said, “I can prove I 
heard him say only the other day that no one ever made apple 
pies like his Mother.” “He was only so high (showing me, 
Sarah Shatford, how tall) when I passed out, had YELLOW 
CURLS, which his Mother curled over her finger—so—(showing 
me), but he remembers how I USED TO PUT MY HAND ON 
HIS HEAD AND SMOOTH HIS HAIR, so”—(Showing me). 

I spoke to the man I had never seen but this time, and said 
to him: “Young man, would it disturb you if you could get a real 
message from your Father who is dead ? For the dead speak to 
me, just as I do to you now: and your Father wants to help you 




418 


MY Proof of Immortality 


out of a difficulty.” “It would not disturb me, only I always 
thought of that as uncanny, and never took any stock in it my¬ 
self.” “Will you step in the hall, as I am standing in a draught 
here?” He stepped inside, took off his cap, and stood in the 
corner of the hall. 

“Your Father tells me that he wore a red beard in his life¬ 
time, and that he wore a ticking apron, and shingled roofs. He 
says he passed over when you were so high, wore yellow curls 
which your Mother curled over her finger, so. He says you 
remember how he used to smooth your hair back from your fore¬ 
head. He says that he heard you say only the other day that 
no one could make apple pies like your Mother. He tells me 
this Mother is still in the body, living, you understand, OUT 
WHERE THE SUN SETS”: and here was shown me this 
Mother’s picture, which I was able to describe thus to her Boy 
standing before me, Sarah Shatford, whom I had never seen, and 
who was being spoken to by his Father whom he thought was 
“dead”, and it was “uncanny” to think of as living. 

The spirit then said: “I went with you over there where you 
carried a gun: I pulled you out of many a hole there. Now I 
want to help you. You know those two men who shaved OFF 
THE LONG GREEN BILLS AS YOUR SHARE AND 
HANDED THEM TO YOU? (The boy nodded, Yes) Well, 
they are your enemies, they will turn you over to the Police if 
you don’t watch out: they will get you in trouble you can’t get 
out of. BEAT IT, do you hear? BEAT IT. PUT YOUR 
DUDS IN THAT OLD SUIT CASE AND WALK HOME 
BUT GO AND GO AT ONCE. And tell your Mother for me 
that that ring can come off her finger as easy as it went on. 
(Showing me the marriage finger) Which was all understood 
by the Boy before me, and admitted as understood. He said, I 
would like to get something more about those two men if I can. 
But I replied that I never held up anyone for this, and that his 
Father had worked for him a miracle, and he must know if he 
were deserving of a miracle or not. That, just by touching my 
bell this morning, he was put in touch with his Father whom he 
called dead, who knew all that had been given him, and to know 
that he was never alone, but guided, and helped, by his own, in 
spirit, who were NOT dead, as his Father had proved to him 
this morning.” 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


419 


I felt pity for the Boy, he was so young, small, white faced, 
and earnest. He never winked as I spoke to him, and he realized 
his Father was there in my. hall where he stood for a few mo¬ 
ments to go out again and part from that Father’s voice unless 
he chose to go where others could “hear” him for this boy. 

His Mother in body was a large blonde, described hair mixed 
with gray, wearing spectacles, was laughing and jolly, and shook 
when she laughed,—and she was seated paring apples in a kitchen 
near a stove, and making fun of the great number she must pare 
because of pies. 

“That is my mother,” said he. “She is living out west.” 


FRANK: (Danish) waiter. 

His spirit Mother showed me necklace, told me how she loved 
Wagner’s operas, and could trill them: necklace described as 
medallions connected by links: This was recognized, both of 
these. 

“This one has a talent for painting and drawing, which he 
should cultivate. He used to take prizes there, instantaneous eye 
work, very good. We always humored him when we were here, 
this boy who is so like me, I could stand in his shoes almost. 
His father was impertinent to me often over this, said I coddled 
the boy and would spoil him for usefulness in the world—But I 
see he is useful, only at the grindstone he is not at home, never 
was, and should have some freedom and leisure hours. Being 
an artist he feels like them also, never has been understood 
entirely. He uses tobacco and should quit if he wants his throat 
to get well. This should have a doctor’s treatment once a week 
sprayed and cauterized at the sides.” 

“The child has never had the vitality to make up for the loss 
of nourishment it would have received in the womb, and this was 
fatal to the air processes (lungs). The Mother is truly ailing 
from anxiety prolonged for its life and welfare.” 

“When he was a little fellow he used to button my shoes. 
Now I would button his if I could. My hair was gray; and teeth 
very soft, and troubled me some;—his father is alive but very 
grave conditions there I will not mention now. He could give 
lessons to beginners or sell his works at Yuletide and make a 



420 


MY Proof of Immortality 

sum sufficient to keep him there. His ideas have changed 
so here, where he sees all so fabulously rich, yet he sees these 
have nothing truly that counts, like the rich of his own native 
land do have for their money.” 

“They cannot do much for the lung affected. To keep it 
from spreading is all that can be done and the fever in tow. 
When suffering cannot be relieved it is better if it should come to 
us. We can love it just as much as you can here. Better off 
here. I always thought it a mistake for this boy to marry so 
young, he took on a burden and little dreamed how it would turn 
out, poor boy. My mother love goes with this message (and 
thank you too).” 

“All the blame he takes for this accident is quite unnecessary, 
he was not to blame. They have had such a sorrowful time of 
it, two young folks who should be so happy, I wish I could have 
been here in body to help with the nursing and all.” 

“Lung-fever would be the name our doctors would give to it. 
Never doubt we live. You will go across and stay. Canada is 
a better place for you than U. S. Sail from there too, cheaper. 
(Olivia I hear called) There are three of us in spirit from your 
family here. Yours can afford to send for you and you can pay 
them back. The coast is a working place for summer, big hotels, 
big money each night.” All the above was admitted true. 

The above regards a pre-natal child which is in hospital. (7 
months) 


Evidential Proof: SCHRAFFT’S, Friday, Dec. 7th, 1923. 

The only seat vacant I was shown. A lady left on the right, 
and one sat on my left. A spirit spoke to me while I was wait¬ 
ing to be served, saying: “I want to help her, on your left. 
Speak for me.” I was so fatigued from long standing and shop¬ 
ping I said to this spirit, “I am so tired I wonder if I can enter 
into conversation here.” “Try,” said this spirit. I then spoke 
to the lady, and we conversed for some time. She was a writer. 
“So am I,” said I. In this way I was able to tell her that the dead 
spoke to me now, and I did not create anything myself, etc. As 
we spoke of this truth, a spirit said, “SHE has investigated and 
found it must be true that we are here and are not dead.” I 
told the woman this and she said “That is true.” The spirit then 
referred to a matter they would like to advise regarding, de- 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


421 


scribed the circumstances, described the spirits who accompanied 
this woman, their home, much personality included,—all re¬ 
quired of my own accompanying spirits BEFORE anyone is ever 
given any material help or advice from theirs in spirit. In other 
words the one in a body, before me, Sarah Shatford, must recog¬ 
nize, by the recalled past, and evidence only the dead could give 
that they are present with their memories, before those souls 
without bodies can give material help to those in bodies. When 
the “dead” are recognized over and over again, BY THIS 
PROOF WHICH THEY BRING IN WORDS, AND PIC¬ 
TURES ON MY BRAIN, the words (their own) repeated, the 
pictures described by me, conditions known only to the ones 
before me in bodies are gone into, this of itself being proof that 
the UNSEEN ACCOMPANY the living and are not dead, but 
know all that is transpiring in homes, offices, as well as hearts 
and minds. Fears, longings, ambitions, all are included in this 
knowledge brought forth by the so-called “dead” themselves to 
theirs in bodies whom they accompany, guide, work with and for. 

We each paid our checks and passed out. Standing on the 
corner in the bustle of traffic, noise of motors, we stopped in the 
arcade of a store where I could hear the dead who had pled 
with me to pass on a word for them. 

As I repeated for the spirit voice what I was told to say, and 
it was all recognized, two spirits describing themselves, a man 
and a woman, and going into detail regarding the private matter 
they had asked to help solve through my hearing this day, and 
the woman in spirit said, “This girl liked caramels, done up in 
little papers, they were her favorites,—I had a way of pulling 
out my kerchief, so—and flapping it before I used it,—she will 
recall the trouble with my LOWER JAW, THE SWELLING 
ON IT,—AND ON MY RIGHT FOOT THE BANDAGE ON 
THE JOINT, ON THE RIGHT FOOT (over and over this 
was said)—and that picture I described of me is in an old fash¬ 
ioned album, BROWN WITPI A BRASS CLASP,—AND I 
HEARD HER SAY JUST THE OTHER DAY That was 
Mother’s’,—and I am able to reach her at dawn, and impress 
her, and she knows those dreams mean something: SHE HAS 
MY MINIATURE.” “I have,” said this stranger, and I am 
able to place all those things you gave, and understand it all. 
What a wonderful thing that I could get this message. I cannot 


422 


MY Proof of Immortality 

tell you how much I thank you. My name is Mrs. Bruce.” “And 
mine is Sarah Shatford,” said I. “Take my address, and if you 
would like to speak to yours further, do come out, and I can do 
much better than this today.” 

“Why, there’s my husband,” said this woman. And she 
called to a gentleman who was turning a corner, and he came 
back, and I was able to include him in the invitation to my home. 
A sort of miracle even was this, in the big city of New York. 

Note: As I sat down with my evening paper a spirit said, 
“You forgot the fried chicken. She didn’t use butter but bacon 
fat, Schrafft’s, that one.” This belongs to the above testimony. 
The woman who spoke of the past to Mrs. Bruce said: “I was 
known for my fried chicken, did not use butter, but bacon fat.” 
And, as this was at once recognized by Mrs. Bruce, and as being 
a part of this spirit’s life, I was reminded of it BY A SPIRIT 
IN MY HOME THIS EVENING. 

Let me say every spirit comes in and speaks to me whom I 
have helped, or, spoken for, to theirs in bodies. Some are here 
often, others seldom, but souls call, and are callers, just as well 
as mortals. 

Note: In the night I was awakened and a spirit said: “I 
told about the stoop of our house, and how I locked that 
BROWN DOOR AND PLACED THE KEY UNDER THE 
RUSH MAT AND WALKED DOWN THOSE STEPS 
LEADING FROM THE STOOP: THEY HAD RAILINGS 
ON EACH SIDE.” Also mentioned by this spirit “My point 
d’esprit fichu: my SMALL THICK BIBLE from which I read 
every night.” (Bruce) 


Evidential Proof: Thursday P. M. On top the Grand Con¬ 
course Bus, from Fordham Road. Dec. 6th, 1923. New York. 
A young woman with a six months’ old infant sat in front 
of me. The child was healthy, but the woman very frail. I 
was wondering how she could lift such a fat baby, and come up 
on top the bus. A spirit said,—“O say, if you could tell her the 
one who called her Goo-Goo is here still, and I’m not dead a 
bit,—could you? Tell her to turn down that offer, he would only 
take her money, that is all. Tell her she MADE ME SHAVE 
OFF MY MUSTACHE. SHE HELPED ME OUT OF A 
HOLE, AND I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN IT EITHER. HER 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


423 


MOTHER NEVER APPROVED OF ME, AND SHE 
HASN’T CHANGED HER MIND YET, I SEE. Tell her.” 

Leaning over the seat, I spoke. She turned around, smiled, 
acknowledged all was true, that she had often wondered if it 
could be that he was here: she JUST FELT THAT HE WAS 
SOMETIMES. 

Continuing, this spirit (husband, father of this infant on her 
lap) said: “She remembers when we had no money to buy food, 
and we bought a box of NOODLES WITH OUR LAST FEW 
CENTS, and she fed me on those.” “I certainly do,” said this 
young Mother in front of me. “That is absolutely true, every 
word of it.” 

The spirit said, then: “Try and pull through here until after 
the bad weather, WHEN I WANT YOU TO BREAK AWAY 
AND GO BACK TO THE LITTLE PLACE WHERE YOUR 
MONEY WILL PULL YOU FURTHER.” “Do you under¬ 
stand this?” I asked her. “Oh, yes, perfectly,” she answered. 
The spirit said, “GO TO A DOOR WHERE I CAN SPEAK 
TO YOU SOMETIMES, AND PAY, FOR I AM LONELY 
WITHOUT YOU, AND I SO WANT TO HELP. EDU¬ 
CATE THE GIRL (I had thought it a boy) and never mind fine 
things to wear, education is the only thing that counts.” 

I gave her the name of two honest workers in New York 
City, where she could go and get messages from this husband 
in spirit who had been able at this Christmas season to reach his 
bride in body with absolute proof that he was still with her. 
Reaching my street, I descended, and looking back this woman 
waved to me from the bus top. I do not know her name. I DO 
know more than I write down here, too. For this spirit walked 
with me towards home this day, and told me WHAT THE 
TROUBLE WAS SHE HAD HELPED HIM OUT OF. And 
this spirit thanked me for my work, saying, “That was splendid: 
I’m ever so much obliged to you. Good-luck: By-By!” 

Every word is exact: every word is true. And yet, men in 
pulpits and out of pulpits are doubters of “immortality” and 
God’s miracles. 

This is only one of the missionary messages. Miss Haus- 
child and I scattered them from Coast to Coast, on trains, in 
parks, cafes, beaches, everywhere the “living” were. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


424 


MY Proof of Immortality 

Evidential Proof: Sat., Oct. 13, 1923. Third Ave. Elevated Train: 

Two Jewesses. Sitting opposite me. One smiled at me as 
she looked at my MSS. case. This train w'as slow, and 
I was belated because of it. The two Jewesses were discussing 
the long waits between stations. I overheard one say, “I am go¬ 
ing to ask the Conductor.” This she did. “You are not riding on 
any express,” said he. “We know that already,” said she. We 
all laughed. A spirit spoke to me, saying: “I am the Mother of 
this one here with the light hair, on the right of you, there, that 
one: she is having trouble over the tallest of two daughters: may 
I speak?” MAY I speak, said in such pleading tones. Leaning 
over as far as I could towards the one indicated by the spirit, I 
told her what had been said, and then had to waste time in expla¬ 
nation of my development, before I could go on. After I had 
explained, and told them the dead always proved themselves, this 
spirit said: “She knows I had a sore on my forehead, cone- 
shaped, and my arm, the right one, I carried in a sling.” “Yes, 
yes,” said the Jewess, “that is true.” This spirit then described 
herself, and was recognized after the spirit said “I am Mother, 
and you see I am here, and you did not have to bring me back. 
Now the girl is in trouble, and it must be hushed up. I hear the 
Father as he speaks and walks the floor saying what he intends 
to do. You tell him to hush, and this can be all smoothed over. 
Keep still, tell him. Take the girl to your relations out of the 
City, up State. She weeps all night, I am there beside her. Tell 
her Father this will make of her a noble, fine woman. I WILL 
GO WITH HER AND NEVER LEAVE HER.” And this 
spirit then described some keepsakes in the keeping of her daugh¬ 
ter, all of which was recognized as true. I missed my station, 
was carried to 18th St. to finish for the dead (so-called) absolute 
proof of their love, presence, attention, ability to help. 

This Jewess put her hand over her heart, and looked up to 
God. I saw this much as I hurried off, after telling them my 
name. 

Just another miracle. Why did I take this train? Why did 
I sit near these ? Why did they take this train ? Well. 

I do not know their names, or addresses. But I file this as 
it took place to show those who believe the “dead” must not be 
disturbed a chance to think for themselves. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


425 


Evidential Proof: On the Grand Concourse bus, towards 205th 
Street, and back. August 25th, 1923. 

A girl in mourning, about twenty-five years of age, whose name 
is Judith B. 

She sat with me, speaking of the jerking of the buses on 
this line. As she spoke a spirit spoke to me, a Mother, asking 
me to give a message to her child. I told her and she said, “I 
would be very glad indeed.” 

The spirit then began: “This is Mother, dear. I must prove 
it for this lady who gives the message first, then I wish to pick 
out the hard tangle for you about the case in court.” (Under¬ 
stood) The spirit continued: “I wore a widow’s bonnet and 
veil: first with a white ruche, then without it, all black, tied with 
faille strings. I had such a time with my upper teeth. You 
have my same smile. I wore spectacles. How I saved small 
bits of money for that purpose. You were my favorite for we 
were confidants: and I never divulged that which you told me, 
you recall that secret, for I heard you wondering if I ever told 
that: I raise my hand as I used to do and say, Never, Never. 
(Understood) I see you dress the window so beautifully. And 
I know the trouble you have been led into. You will come out 
from that dark cloud, and that key which was lost, you know, will 
not be blamed on you. Then, I wish you to go to Chicago, to 
your relative there, and begin over. Will you do this? Be inde¬ 
pendent, not to live with her. And cater to the refined classes 
only: that is where you made your mistake. (All understood, 
and recognized by this girl beside me) 

“I loved honey in the comb, and jam, and it was always my 
luncheon, with a cup of tea. As you are wondering if your 
father who left me with all the children to bring up is here with 
me, I wish to tell you that he is, and is doing his part by everyone 
of you, and there are three girls, and a boy. Tell them all I am 
here and have proved it to you, but the boy you cannot reach just 
now.” (Acknowledged) 

“I want you to be careful of your chest,” said this Mother. 
“And never doubt I am here. REMEMBER HOW I SHUT 
MY HAND IN THAT DRAWER? AND HOW I SUF¬ 
FERED FROM IT?” “I should say I do,” said the girl beside 
me. 

After this, this Mother in spirit spoke to her child regarding 


426 


MY Proof of Immortality 


an offer of marriage from one not of her religion, and one who 
would use her services in the firm. Giving her advice that she 
was to be a legal partner only, and to remember her own misfor¬ 
tune, and profit by it. (Acknowledged by the girl) Much else, 
as fast as I could speak, and all understood. 

When the Mother in spirit said to me, ‘‘I used to take an 
interest in spiritualism, and saw their father when he passed out, 
and she has been to mediums but I could only give her a crumb, 
to carry along home with her.” “That is all true. Everything 
you have told me is true,” said this girl, as I bade her good-by, 
telling her that she could thank God for taking a bus ride this 
day,—which she did. 


Evidential Proof: August 21st, 1923. 

“A Lady from Jersey City at GimbeFs Restaurant, New York 

City. 

“Would you mind if this lady sat here?” asked a waitress 
of me. I sat alone, premeditated, for the purpose of serving the 
unseen, trusting to lead to the transmitter the one, or ones, who 
needed proof that the dead are here present. “Indeed I would 
not,” I replied, asking, “Does the lady mind if I sit here?” And 
we laughed. The “lady” was stout, a fine smile, happy face, 
large hat, beautiful teeth, dressed in black, and wore three large 
diamonds on her left hand. This is as good a description as I 
can give, all I can say, except she, the “lady” was humorous, 
laughed, and spoke of food, etc. Something was said about being 
alone. Correcting myself, I said that was not strictly true, as I 
was never alone. The “lady” said, “Of course not: God is with 
us always.” “Yes,” I said, “and our dear ones who have ‘died’, 
these are also with us.” “I do not believe so,” said she. “I can 
prove it to you, right here,” I told her. “That would be a 
miracle,” she said. 

At once, I was told by a spirit speaking to me at my right 
side: “The man who wore the arctic overshoes, which fastened 
with a buckle, and used to stamp his feet on the front porch, is 
here.” “I was there with you as you CLEANED MY PIC¬ 
TURE IN THE SILVER FRAME AND SPOKE TO ME IN 
THE FRAME CALLING ME PAPA: I HEARD YOU.” 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


427 


That is all true, said this lady. The spirit continued: “The boys 
have opposed your marriage because of property: there is a link 
there which will be broken soon. If the boy who has the wife 
who runs him would run himself he would be more fortunate 
in business: the one who wants the new car. The Mother of 
the two BOYS EXACTLY THE SAME HEIGHT. (Twins, 
said the lady opposite me.) The woman who carried a Japanese 
parasol is here, too, said this spirit. That is your Mother, said 
the voice again. (Yes, all you have said is true, said she) And 
a name was called, an unusual name, Loretta (?) (I cannot re¬ 
call it now, it was an old-fashioned name) Yes, recognized also. 
There was other proof, I do not record here. 


While I sat in Boos Cafeteria, Los Angeles, about noon April 
17th a woman at the same table began telling me her troubles. Her 
daughter in spirit about 18 years of age spoke to me and said: 
“She is worrying about James, plays a guitar; go home, he will 
come back.” This was the woman’s son who had run away from 
home. The woman had come from Venice to find him. 

This daughter in spirit then told how she passed out with 
flu, how she hated to die, loved a boy and wanted to live, told of 
her little sister in body, her first communion, the condition in the 
home described, the aged grandparent in the Old Soldiers’ Home, 
and much more. She wept, saying she was a Catholic, and had 
just stopped in to get a cup of tea, being worn out in her search 
for her son. 

She gave me her name: Mrs. M. C. Fish, 33 Poloma Ave., 
Venice, Calif. 

On Shakespeare’s Birthday I set out to do missionary work. 
The first message I gave was on the car going into town: a lovely 
young girl. The second was at the purse leather goods counter 
in Jacoby’s Store. The third was to an author, Scenario, in the 
Cafeteria. This, with an offering to the blind, was my gift to him 
for whom I wrote the books, and whose spirit is constantly seen 
by mediums in private and public life in various cities. 

Los Angeles, 

May 13th, 1921. 



428 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential proof: 

See proof for Mrs. M. C. Fish, 33 Poloma Ave., Venice. 

This woman phoned me yesterday she would like to bring 
a friend and come out to see me, asking what I charged. No 
charge at all, I told her, and they came to the above address, 
cousins, it developed from spirit proof. 

The woman, Mrs. Fish, had since lost her aged father, and 
after her daughter 18 years proved she was with the mother, she 
said “Grandpa is here.” This father had been dead just a week 
this day, died at the old soldiers’ home. She said she wanted to 
“see if I could tell her that he had died.” The cousins received 
a long afternoon of continuous proof from theirs in spirit, father, 
mother, daughter, sons, little children and a sister of charity, 
called AGATHA, who gave this name and described herself. 
They were more than satisfied there is no death. Both are 
Catholics. The cousin’s malady, intended operation, was de¬ 
scribed, ailment, cause given, etc. 

Please note this reading, as there is enough in it to prove 
spirit presence, memory, survival, personality, if I never gave 
another reading in my lifetime. 

No charge was made, they bought no books: this is three 
readings for this family without charge. 

Have given 14 free readings and two book readings for 
proof in this house in this week. Have dieted to do this, eating 
no meat, drinking no coffee, eating one meal each day, but drink¬ 
ing milk between meals. 


Evidential Proof: New Orleans, La. 

KENNER, Miss Nellie, Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, La. 

Nine pages of proof only the spirits themselves could give 
were given free to Miss Kenner. Her sister was a twin, and 
told this. All their family and their affairs were told by spirit 
voice, with proof from this sister that she was present. All was 
freely acknowledged by Miss Kenner, with gratitude, and she 
told me she would keep a record of all that came through and 
write her acknowledgment of it. This she did. Altogether this 
proof in notation constituted nine pages of written material. I 
was asked, before this was turned over to me, if I would see the 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


429 


Jesuit Priest, Father Encz, Barrone St. on Friday P. M. Cer¬ 
tainly, and this was done. As Father Encz looked over the 
MSS. he said, “I am willing to say this came from the spirit 
world, but I am not willing to say it is from Shakespeare’s 
Spirit.” “Then whose would you say it was?” I asked him, 
thinking he, too, might see or hear spirits. “I do not know,” 
said Father Encz. “But I would like to know if things like this 
are being done, why they are not being done for us” (the Catho¬ 
lics). “I cannot answer that,” I told him. “But the spirit is 
present, and can do so.” “I should like to hear what he has to 
say on that subject,” said this Priest. A moment’s pause, and 
the spirit spoke to me, Sarah Shatford, saying, for Father Encz, 
“WHY DID THE NAZARENE CHOOSE HIS FROM THE 
HUMBLE AND UNLETTERED? BECAUSE HE HAD 
LESS TO OVERCOME.” The Priest understood. He refused 
to take a message from his own in spirit, saying “I must live up 
to the professions of my Religion.” 

The next day Miss Kenner phoned me that it would be im¬ 
possible for her to sign the record she had kept of all given her 
free from spirit by her own, as the Priest had told her IF SHE 
DID SO, HE WOULD NOT GIVE HER COMMUNION, 
OR ABSOLUTION. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: MURPHY, Mrs. D. F., Hotel Ansonia, 
N. Y. C. 

(“Katherine Ward”) Dayton, Ohio. 

This songwriter, poet, was in mourning. As she opened the 
door for me, she wept. I had not seen her for two years or over. 
She had just lost a Mother, she told me. I told her of all that 
had happened to me: that the Dead spoke to me, proved them¬ 
selves alive for others, and not to weep, hers in spirit would 
prove themselves too. Oh no, she said. My Mother went 
straight to heaven. She was a saint, if there are any human 
beings saints. You could not convince me, so no use to try.” As 
I sat in the window, speaking of the Alaska trip she had taken, 
a spirit spoke to me, describing himself. A man, wearing a long 
frock coat, his wide black felt hat, his broad brow, his gray hair, 
—his walking stick, his mannerisms, all told, as his by-words. 



430 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Finally he gave his name: “JIM”. (Jim Ward, Dayton, Ohio.) 
“Mother is here,” said a spirit. Then, this is actually what was 
said to me, Sarah Shatford. This gentle Mother described her¬ 
self, her room in which she died, the last act of this beloved 
daughter, holding a crucifix to her lips,—told how she was 
dressed for the last time, how this daughter had combed her hair 
and PLACED A COMB, describing same, IN HER HAIR, 
HOW HER HANDS WERE PLACED, HOW THE CASKET 
STOOD IN FRONT OF THE MANTEL, AND DESCRIBED 
THIS,—HOW HER ORCHIDS WERE ARRANGED, THE 
COLOR OF HER CASKET, HER HABITS, INCLUD¬ 
ING ATTENDING MASS EACH MORNING OF HER 
LIFE,—DESCRIBED THE HALL OF THE HOME, AND 
THE PLACE WHERE HER SON NOW LIVED,—AND 
HOW SHE HAD PIEARD THE CONVERSATIONS RE¬ 
GARDING HER TOMB, which is all of a private nature and 
not for publication. Others in spirit proved themselves too. 
“The money was used for the children just as I wanted it to be,” 
said a soft voice, and this woman in spirit described her arms, 
and her smile,—and her finances left at the time of passing. All 
unknown to me, as above stated. 

Mrs. Murphy told me what was meant after finishing: I 
did not comprehend before. Much else was given. All gratis, 
of course. As I waited on the seventh floor for an elevator, the 
same spirit spoke to me, saying: “SO MANY MIRACLES, 
AND NONE FOR YOU?” “Oh,” said I, “you are coming 
along with me: I am so glad.” 

I now record what is the second miracle worked for me, 
Sarah Shatford, by one of the sainted ones. I was giving free, 
for the P. R. S. 30 sittings. Much quarrelling was going on 
among spirit voices. This I heard, and recorded in the evidence 
brought through. It was not understood by me. I was kept 
awake, many hours, to “keep in touch” lest the power to make 
a human hear the dead speak be lost. Sleep was never uninter¬ 
rupted. During years I had never had a night’s rest complete 
from this “stringing” process, as the spirit called it. This night, 
then, I slept. Slept without being awakened. And the following 
night, then another, until for nine nights I rested as never before 
for years, not once disturbed by voices or pleas. At these times 
many valuable things were brought in, sometimes for the living, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


431 


sometimes for me, or my work. Then I was told, after I became 
so dizzy I could not read the headlines in the morning paper, that 
I was being “taken” for “trance” uses. And this spirit had saved 
me from it. It was true. I found it to be so. I was told to 
pack up, and go to my friends in Cincinnati: which I did. And 
this saved me from the worst form of “mediumship”, and I 
have been saved, through prayer, until this day. 

Mrs. Murphy called before I moved, and requested that I 
tell no one of her Mother’s and Father’s spirits speaking to her, 
owing to the Cardinal (Gibbons) whose cousin she is. 

Sarah Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: Hotel Ansonia. 

MURPHY, D. F. Mrs. (Katherine Ward) 

A spirit said: “There is a father here. He was tall, wore 
a double-breasted black coat, carries a slouch hat, and A STICK 
GIVEN HIM AT HIS ANNIVERSARY. His brow is broad, 
high, hair iron-gray, mustache and beard, and he says HIS 
CHIEF CHARACTERISTIC WAS PRIDE, AND HIS 
NAME JIM.” 

“Father”: said Katherine. (This spirit was Jim Ward of 
Dayton, Ohio) Then a sister who passed spoke, and she said: 
“THERE WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT OUR 
HUSBANDS BEFORE I CAME OVER, BUT I DID NOT 
BRING IT HERE, AND I HAVE FORGOTTEN ALL 
ABOUT IT. THE MONEY WAS USED JUST AS I 
WOULD HAVE IT USED.” (She had left money which edu¬ 
cated some children not hers) 

Then, the gentle Mother of this lovely woman, with some 
doubt against speaking through mortals, said, AFTER DE¬ 
SCRIBING HER FUNERAL CASKET FLOWERS, GRAVE 
CLOTHES, BURIAL PLACE, POSITION OF CASKET IN 
FRONT OF MANTEL,—“YOU HELD THE CRUCIFIX TO 
MY LIPS THOSE LAST MOMENTS, BLESSED BY THE 
POPE FOR ME, AND WHICH YOU GAVE ME,—etc. etc. 
After which this Mother in spirit told how she had heard con¬ 
versations over her monument, and gave this, with the comb 



432 MY Proof of Immortality 

which was in her hair, as proof indisputable. All acknowledged 
true. 


(2) Zollner: 

Mrs. Bingham’s friend. Author. An old lady came first, 
hair in puffs, described an enamel locket of hers (recognized) 
called her “Kitty”, at which she burst into tears. It was her pet 
name used by this spirit when in life. Described her writing, 
outlook, etc. 

Second sitting, Mrs. Zollner brought her Son, Beresford, a 
Soldier. His father, her husband, described himself, the sad 
conditions of their lives together, his sorrow, his faults. He 
came in a hunting jacket with duck-tails sticking out of a hunter’s 
sack, and a gun over his shoulder. Told much of a private 
nature not to be related. 

Uncle Jed described, country land, buildings thereon, advice 
regarding same. The owner of the land referred to as L. (cor¬ 
rect) The “pike” in front understood, the old house with a 
cupola on it acknowledged. Her Book was described: it was her 
life. (True) Here a spirit broke in with a message for “Al¬ 
bert”. I was shown a young man in a Rector’s surplice standing 
in a pulpit. A handsome fellow, young and ardent in a position 
elevated above the lecturn. He had chosen the one true path, 
he should follow truly in it; it was his calling. He was the 
saviour of souls. I cannot recall all of this message, it was spir¬ 
itual, and it was for the Son who is studying for the Ministry, 
and was recognized. I had only met Mrs. Z. the night previous 
and did not know she had any children. 

The Soldier had another sitting, which I gave at the home of 
Mrs. Elliot. All this Soldier’s pals made themselves known, 
describing their ranks, their packs, the scenery, the girls, the 
barn which they set afire “each cootie carried a straw” said 
this boy: told where he lived, the wind that blew down their 
tents, the bucking horse with the particular bit, the girl with the 
roses in her hair, the peasant girl with the plaid dress and white 
sleeves. Many names were given and one who gave his name as 
SOL ENRIGHT, said, “the first is correct but the last is not 
well.” The boy said sure, it is SOL ELWELL, of Texas. He 
told of his wounds, foot and arm. Correct. Recall much that was 
joyous, and amusing. All remembered by this Soldier of the 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


433 


Marne. Other Soldiers made themselves known and told their 
first names correctly. This Boy was a good one for critics. He 
would not let go: made a spirit tell and talk, and questioned by 
him they hung on until he placed them over and over by their 
evidence. His sweethearts (two) were described, one was 
chosen for him, and he was not content with this but wanted her 
name. Beulah Cart—said the spirit: (it was Bella Clark) Then 
her car was described, her furs, her perfume, her silver card-case 
which hung on her wrist: her church going habits, but this was 
not enough. He asked where does she live? The voice said “If 
you stand on the College grounds up in the Hundreds and throw 
a stone you can hit her house” (True). “You smoke with her 
father, he smokes a pipe, he has gray beard pointed.” The Soldier 
said “That is correct.” He was told that both his lungs were 
affected, which he admitted was true. One Soldier described 
his kit: the trench mirror with a girl’s photo pasted on the back 
of it: told of their gambling with small French coins in a trench 
by one candle light “A whole bagful wouldn’t make a dollar.” 
said the boy. “All true” he said Much more came through, on 
the same order: he said he was very tired at the close of this 
sitting: asked the medium if she felt weary. This sitting lasted 
Two hours and ten minutes. 


LETTER CONTAINING SCIENTIFIC PROOF GIVEN 
FREE IN CALIFORNIA 


Los Angeles, May 14th. ’21 
Dear Dr. Peebles and Dr. Austin: 

This is my report to you. As I am on the eve of departure 
for New York City, I want you to know from my own lips what 
I have accomplished for the unseen, what has been accomplished 
by the unseen through me, I should have said, and really thought, 
since arriving from New York, Nov. 26th. 1920. 

While at the Clark Hotel I gave many proofs to strangers 
in cafeterias, and guests of the hotel. The most remarkable of 
these Mrs. Mary Spates of Des Moines, Iowa, who lived at the 
Clark Hotel, was persistent in coming to my room every evening 
to prove still more that all hers were with her constantly. She 




434 


MY Proof of Immortality 


is the widow of Dr. Spates, of the above named City. The per¬ 
sonality proven in this long session of tests, repeated as you know 
in my ear, made us life long friends, and reunited the living dead 
with the wife, daughter, sister. Mrs. Spates was delighted, com¬ 
forted, assured. She invited a man friend to try the spirits 
further, and his own, known to her in childhood, were also with 
him, and he was made sure forever, also. This man is a cigar 
merchant of Los Angeles. 

At this time Mrs. Rogers of Long Beach brought the San 
Diego Medium, Mrs. Smart, well known and respected by all. 
Mrs. Smart wept in my hotel room as her spirit Mother described 
her person, belongings, trinkets, home, and referred to the girl¬ 
hood of her daughter present. Mrs. Smart told me in the pres¬ 
ence of Mrs. Rogers that it was the only message she had ever 
received from her Mother which satisfied her. 

Dr. Austin was present at Mrs. Rogers home on the evening 
messages and proof were given through my hearing to all present 
in Mrs. Rogers home. Dr. Austin’s niece, Miss Hazel, had two 
remarkable proofs one given her on the street amidst traffic 
noises, the other at the hotel. This young woman’s parents de¬ 
scribed themselves, called their names, referred to the past, pres¬ 
ent, and future. Dr. Austin’s family have tried me out, finding 
their own each time through evidential proof. 

To Prof. Reese, Dr. Maxwell, Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs. Dean, 
Psychic (129 East 29th. street, Los Angeles) and her friend, 
Miss Irvine, and Bernard Shaw of England, brought by them, all 
most remarkable sittings, descriptions, names, proof undeniable. 

To Five of Dr. Elsie Morris’ students, (Room 421 Byrne 
Bldg.) who came after a speech of mine at Dr. Morris’ Studio: 
all satisfied. To Mrs. Caroline E. Mowder, 667 Park View, bet. 
Seventh and Wilshire, a feast of the old days and memories: all 
gratefully acknowledged. To Mrs. May and her sister, 3409 S. 
Hope St.; James McGregor Beatty, 245 North Hope, and his 
Mother: one whole evening with theirs in spirit. To Miss Moore, 
in Mr. Rowny’s office, a valuable message with proof from her 
father in spirit. 

Going to Santa Barbara, in March, Dr. Littlefield had nu¬ 
merous messages from his Mother, Father and relatives in spirit, 
all recognized by Dr. Littlefield. Mrs. Georgia A. Burchim, of 
Fellowship Farm, had dozens of long evenings with hers in spirit, 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


435 


with their favorite sayings, wit, personalities preserved and 
proven beyond belief almost; as she promised to write you of 
them, I will not say more, but they constituted many long pages 
when I last saw them in Mrs. Burchim’s hand. 

Mr. Fred Andrews, former Publisher of Lily Dale, was 
given proof, names, and acknowledged same by letter. He is at 
Fellowship Farm. 

Mrs. Elise Bachmann, 1810 Loma St. Santa Barbara, took 
me to her friends there, including the Diehls (Grocerymen, Cham¬ 
ber of Commerce), to Carl Borg, the eminent Swedish Artist, 
this one’s friend, the Bookman Carmanche of Santa Barbara, 
Miss Jennie Churchill, the aged Medium, who, together with 
many other of Miss Bachmann’s friends received invariably abso¬ 
lute proof, scientific, evidential, that their own in spirit were 
present, had been, through time. In Carl Borg’s proof, after 
his father presented himself in priest’s cravat and robes, (true) 
a lady described herself, and said “I resembled Patti, they said,” 
and she told of her own talents, needlework, etc. I thought this 
was Mr. Borg’s own Mother. But I learned, from Mme. Bach¬ 
mann later, this whole reading had been acknowledged true by 
Mr. Borg, and this one was not his mother, but Mrs. Phoebe 
Hearst, who had been a patroness of this young Artist’s in San 
Francisco. 

Mrs. Luce, also of Fellowship Farm: Mrs. Graham, Allen 
Graham, The leader of the New Thought Center, Mrs. Coolidge, 
received a remarkable message from her mother, gratefully rec¬ 
ognized by her. Also her friend, Miss-, who came with her. 

An old man, homeless, at the Salvation Army rooms, 
Lucian Frisby of Fredonia N. Y. a beautiful history given by 
his wife in spirit, of their past days, her death, illness in the 
desert, their home described, name called “Lydia”, and this one 
made happy, though homeless and penniless. 

Returning here, March 4th. I gave to Mrs. R. Ada Martin, 
315 Sutter St. San Francisco, at the head of the Sufi movement 
there, three long satisfactory tests. This service brought me 
through Mrs. Martin the invitation to serve the Psychical Re¬ 
search Society of San Francisco, all expenses paid and as a guest 
in the home of a member. Together with a grateful and much 
prized letter of acknowledgment and compliment and praise. 
This woman is in direct telepathic communication with her Mur- 


436 


MY Proof of Immortality 


shid Sufi Teacher, Inayat Khan, of London. (The Sufi Pub. 
Society, Ltd. 86 Ladbroke Road, W. London) 

The Jamisons in the Hotel Clark, ample proof, many differ¬ 
ent evenings. 

On Shakepeare’s birthday, Apr. 23rd. I gave six missionary 
readings on the cars, in the parks and cafeterias. 

On Mothers’ day, I gave three. 

One of these I mention. That of Mrs. M. C. Fish, 33 
Paloma Ave. Venice, to whom I gave a message in the cafeteria, 
importuned by her daughter in spirit, a young lady of 18 years. 
After describing herself and calling her own name “Louise^’ this 
daughter told of the aged grandfather who would soon be over 
there with her, how she passed out, that she played the piano, 
was in love with a boy and hated to die, how her mother had 
just come from the little sister who was to make her first com¬ 
munion, and then said: “JAMES: the one who plays a guitar: 
go home, he will come back.” All true: this boy had left home, 
and she was here trying to locate him.” Yesterday, this woman 
phoned me from Rowny’s office asking if she might come out, 
and what I charged, and would like to bring a friend. No charge, 
I told her, come on. Grandpa said: “she knows how I dislike to 
laugh because of my teeth.” The mother on his arm was described, 
her clothes, her breastpin of braided hair set in gold, etc. When I 
had finished, Mrs. Fish said: I came to see if you could get 
from my daughter that my father was gone: he died a week ago 
today.” Her cousin had valuable proof, in so much as she 
was on the way to the operating table and told of all her ailment, 
the cause, advised against it,—and the adviser was allowed to 
prove her identity by answering this one’s question re. the old days. 

This week I have given Twenty-two readings to prove the 
book Shakespeare’s Revelations came from the spirit world. All 
satisfied. One not counted was an old gentleman, a skeptic who 
kept taking out his watch every ten minutes, and they dropped 
the line, would give him nothing, but turned to Luella Hukill 
M.D. D.C. who brought him, and gave her quite a long reading, 
all of proof, recognized. 

Every message mentioned herein, and all ever given through 
me, has been given free, gratis, for nothing at all. I left it to the 
seekers to buy a book or not, and but two purchased books, saying 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 437 

they would at some future time. Many I presented with the 
volume also. 

On Friday A.M. at breakfast in the Cafeteria, a woman came 
to eat her breakfast beside me. Speaking of a woman she had 
just helped who was hungry, a beautiful girl, deserted by her 
husband, I asked to have her come to see me. Telling her I 
should like to help her by advice from hers in spirit. First, Mrs. 
N. L. Mason, Roslyn Hotel, (of Minn.) came herself, then sent 
the girl that night. They were able to help both, one in dire need, 
the others left in tears of joy. 

This constitutes but a small part of my message work to 
individuals, but shows you that my time in Los Angeles has not 
been lost. 

Two books from my Torch Press Inc. imprint will be off 
the Rowny Press soon, “PESKY PROBLEMS FOR POSI¬ 
TIVE PREACHERS, and ILLUSTRIOUS MADMEN (sec¬ 
ond edition) both by James Me. G. Beatty. Also, this man has 
composed the music to a march tempo hymn, sacred song, taken 
from Shakespeare’s Revelations, called “WHEN THE WORLD 
IS READY FOR THE SAVIOUR.” 

Thus, I return to New York, having accomplished quietly, 
unheralded, unpaid as medium, a laborious quantity of proof 
scientific, evidential, of spirit presence, survival of memory, love, 
personality, and, that the books Shakespeare’s Revelations By 
Shakespeare’s Spirit, and For Jesus’ Sake By Shakespeare’s 
Spirit, were spoken to me by spirit voice, heard and transcribed 
as heard. 

We shall meet again before I leave the last of May. And I 
can thank you in person for the backing you gave me,—this I 
feel positive to have merited by thi^ report of work conscien¬ 
tiously finished to your credit, as the unseen’s superb steadfast¬ 
ness. 

I will only add that I am constantly in good health, and in 
touch with my own parents and sister in spirit, who prove each 
time they speak they are themselves. 

With gratitude and affection, 

Faithfully yours, 


Sarah T. Shatford. 


438 MY Proof of Immortality 

MIRACLES OF PROOF GIVEN BY THE “DEAD” TO 
THESE IN BODIES, CALLED “LIVING”: 


Mr. & Mrs. F. McLain Jamison, Room 1027 (3) Evenings 
of proof. 

Major Domo & Wife (2) 

Mrs. Julia Piper (Inspectress) 

Friend of the above 
Maid (Sweden) “Blanche” 

Clerk at Broadway Dept. Store Book Buyer: Miss Davis 
Rev. Dr. B. F. Austin, Daughters, and Husband of Sister. 
Rev. James M. Peebles, M.D. D.D. A. M. 

Mrs. Mead 

Mrs. May & Sister & Four Guests 
Mrs. Grace Hutchinson, Revelation Church 
Dr. & Mrs. W. Q. Sayers, Ramona Hall 
Mr. Reed, of Texas, at Santa Monica 
3 Girls from Arizona (2) 

Girl in Cafeteria, Westlake Park 
Enroute to Los Angeles, on Pullman 

Mrs. Dimon, Mt. Vernon N. Y. (Steamship Co. MANDE- 
LAY. Aviator & Son, accompanying. 

On Pullman Chicago to New York: 

Mrs. Elinore DeWitt, Long Beach. 

Woman of Salt Lake City 

Mrs. Geo. E. Harter, 5132 Angeles Mesa Drive, Los Angeles. 
Librarian (spinster Syracuse: changed at Chgo) 

Woman with Two children whose Grandparents were Quak¬ 
ers, in spirit, who was enroute to Indianapolis 

(Judas) The Orphan in black whose history was told to her 
as she wept. At whose side I was compelled to give the Con¬ 
ductor of the Train a message from his Mother in spirit 
(Omaha), that “Judas” must recognize the truth from others 
spirits, if she would not acknowledge her own, in spirit. 

The foreign woman in my upper berth, had two husbands, 
2 children, in spirit. (Germans) 

The Matron (colored) of the Limited Chicago Train July 
29th, 1920, Penn. Ry. 

The fiancee of the soldier, going to Long Island. 

Jeanette Clenen, Mrs. Hayes, Josie, Miss H’s friend. 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


439 


Mrs. Dymock, in H. Hayes presence. 

Mr. Thomas J. Mcgaffney, and Louis Haubrich, Metropoli¬ 
tan Life Ins. Co. both given great messages, with infallible proofs 
many that theirs were with them. 

Mr. Haubrich came back the second time. 

Mrs. W. D. Garrett and Mother (2) 

Mrs. James, trained nurse, friend of Helen Hayes. 

All the Six who came to dinner at the housewarming party. 

Mrs. Paula Allen, in Mrs. Wildmn’s presence. 

Georgia Girvin. 

The friend from Asbury Park of Mrs. Wildman’s. Proof 
from her father in spirit (Miss Marion Grant). 

Write all the Pullman proof, Pike's Peak, etc. The boy in 
Scout uniform back of us, Mrs. Skinner on the train, the nose 
bleeder, the Two sisters, Mrs. Jackson from Lincoln Neb. who 
sat in my seat for two hours. 

Dr. Austin’s wonderful proof from Peebles. Rowny’s proof, 
the Beatty proof, the Girl in the office of the Engstrum, the Boy 
who wrote Movies in West Lake Park, the woman at Beverly (2) 
the boy and girl from San, Fran—on the tour to Mexico, Mrs. 
Peasely, Mrs. King her friend, Howard, the Author of Bishop 
of TThc Ozarks - r 

(“And this will end the notes for the book BACK FROM 
THE DEAD.”) I hear. 

Mrs. W. Garrett, & Mother. 

Mrs. Cook, 525 East 161st. St. who merely called for day’s 
work at my door. 

Josephine, friend of Miss Louise Hauschild, (Sunday eve. 
Dec. 10th. ’22) NYC 

M. W. Howard Hon. wonderful proof. L. A. (Presence 
of Miss Hauschild.) 

Mulhall, Staff Editorial EXAMINER, L. A., two half days 
of proof. 

Two Women, from EXAMINER, who write the Mystic 
Column; hours of proof. 

The Artist, Ruth Shaffner, met at table in Cafe, who was 
given great messages from her brother, who was a soldier. Studio 
in MUSIC & ARTS Bldg. LA, Calif. 

The Beverly lady, whom we met at Mt. Lowe, who enter¬ 
tained us at her home in Beverly, whom we asked to luncheon at 


440 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Clift Hotel, during these times she was given proof, acknowl¬ 
edged, in Miss Hauschild’s presence, of spirit presence. She is 
a devout Christian Scientist. 

Wm. G. Hurlbert & Wife, Pres. Bostwick Steel Lath Co. 
Niles O. (Given in Miss Hauschild’s presence, in L. A. and San 
Fran.) 

Dr. Powers and Wife, of Buffalo, N. Y., friends of the 
Hurlberts, who were given proof at the Clift Hotel, San Fran¬ 
cisco, in presence of Miss Hauschild. 

The young man “Bobby,” met on the San Diego trip, with 
Miss ? his companion, given more proof at dinner at the Clift 
Hotel, all understood by him and her, and acknowledged. Miss 
-is a Catholic. We cannot say more. We need not say more. 


Evidential Proof For (See Files) 

Mrs David Martin, San Francisco 

Mrs Carrie May, Hope St. Los Angeles, Calif. 

Mr. F. J. Rowny, Walker Auditorium Bldg. Los Angeles, 
Calif. 

Miss Pilsbury & Sister, BOSTON IDEAS, Boston, Mass. 
Mr. John Hill, New York City. 

Miss Castello, NY C Sent by Dr. Wildman 
Mrs Southern, NYC Sent by Dr. Wildman 
Beatty, & Mother, Hope St. Los Angeles, Calif, (in Miss 
Hauschild’s Presence) 

Miss Aldrich, NYC 
Eurotas, Geo. Mr. 

Girvin, Emma, Mrs. Georgina, and Grace. 

Evidential Proof (See Files) From May to Dec. 1922. N. Y. C. 

( S. T. S.) 

Mrs. Wildman’s Careaker, Frances & Her Husband, Lake 
Hopatcong, N. J. (3) 

Mrs. Wildman’s friend, Mrs. Fitzgerald, Lake Hopatcong, 

N.J. 

Mrs. Wildman’s Housekeeper, Martha Rosemont, (20) 

Mrs. Wildman’s friend, Mrs. Moran, 18 -15th. St. College 
Point, N. Y. (L. I) (2) 

Mrs. Stark & Daughter, (friends of Miss Baumgardner of 
Toledo, O.) (2) 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


441 


Miss Alta Baumgardner, 2141 Robinwood, Toledo, Ohio. (2) 
John Hill, 123 W 94th. St. N. Y. C. 

G. B. Eurotas, 376 E. Fordham Road, Bronx, N. Y. C. (6) 

Mrs. Elliott, & Sister & Mr.- (boarder) 44 W 83rd. St. 

(3) and Son & Fiancee (2) 

Mrs. K. M. Healy, 336 E 50th St. (30) 

Miss Jeanette Clenen, Hotel Endicott, N. Y. C. (20) 

Miss Conners (Miss Clenen’s friend) War Dept. Finance 
U. S. A. (4) 

Mrs. Feister, & servant Louise, (3) Whitestone L. I. 

Mrs. Marion Hraba, daughter of Mrs. Feister, O.E.S. White- 
stone L. I. (12) 

Miss Hart, friend of Mrs. Hraba, (1) 

Mrs. Wright, friend of Mrs. Wildman’s, 178 W 94th. St. 
N. Y. C. (1) 

Mrs. Jennie McClatchy, 136 West 96th. St. N. Y. C. (2) 

Mrs. Zollner, 

Mrs. Amelia Bingham, 103 Riverside Drive, (6) 

Mrs. (Russian) friend of Mrs. Zollner. (2) 

Miss Castello, friend of Dr. H. V. Wildman, 108 W. 94th. St. 
Mrs. Southern, friend of Dr. H. V. Wildman, 108 W. 94th 
St. ( 2 ) 

Mrs. Matlock’s sister (Riverside Drive), sent by Dr. H. V. 
Wildman, 108 W 94th. St. 

Mrs. Milton Rathbun, 513 W 112th. St. N. Y. C. (6) 

Mrs. E. Monroe Hand, (2) 

German Governess, in Central Park. 

Bohemian maid (chamber Hotel Endicott) Mary 

Girl in Cent Park, at Bridle Path 

Woman feeding doves in Central Park, at 81st St. 

Miss Louise Hauschild, (8) Schilling Press. Inc. 137 E 
25th. St. 

Miss Albright, Proof Reader American Bank Note Co. N. 

Y. C. 

Mrs. B. R. Hayes, and sister (22) 

Mrs. Lottie Larsen, friend of Helen Hayes (3) 

Harry Phillips, and Mother (4) # 1 W 100 St. Cor Cent 
Park West. 

Mrs. Girvin, 149 W 90th St. (6) 

Mrs. Wispell, Brooklyn, friend of Mrs. Wildman’s (2) 


442 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Mrs. Girvin’s friends or callers (3) 

Women in Cafe (2) 

Dr. H. V. Wildman (2) 

Mrs. Wildman, many dozens, perhaps hundreds. 

Miss Marguerite Henry, Fidelity Storage Co. 107 W 96th. 
St. N. Y. C. (4) 

Book Store friend of Mrs. Wildman’s Miss McCue. 

Mrs. Schilling, and sister, daughter-in-law, and son. 

Mr. D. P. Harris, (1) 24-26 Murray St. N. Y. C. 

Mrs. Carrie Dutcher, 

Mrs. Perkins, friend of Mrs. Dutcher (C. S.) L. I. 

Miss Lake, Pittsburg, friend of Miss Conner (from small 
town near Pittsburg) 

Josie, friend of Miss Hauschild’s. 

Waitress in Nikko’s Cafe. 

Hostess at Nikko’s. 

Mrs. Wildman (2) Girvin (2) and daughter, "Belle” servant 
of Wildmans (2) 

Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Ailing, friends of Mrs. Wildman 
Mrs. Hraba, Miss Conner, Miss Clenen, Miss Hauschild, 
Mrs. Hodges, and friend Dorothy, New Thoughtists. 

Kate Morris Healy (Mrs.) and two nieces Brooklyn. 

Girl on River Front Park, (fine reading. Priest in spirit 
present) 

Miss Collie Dymock, 163rd St. & Park Ave. 

Mr. Dymock, though he was not there: all his in spirit with 
proof in his home. 

Mrs. James No. 2 (James, Ruth ) friend of Helen Hayes. 
Mr. Wm. Schilling. 

Westlake Park Movie Writer. Presence Miss Hauschild. 
Mrs. McClatchey, where I called. Who sees Shakespeare’s 
Spirit. 

Geo B. Eurotas, College St. Alloysus, Astoria, L. I. 

Mrs Paula Allen, 

Mrs. Harry Phillips, and Son. 101st St. Cent P. W. 
Grandmother of above (2) 

Mr. & Mrs. Baumgardner, 2030 Parkwood Ave. Toledo, 
Ohio. 

Mrs. Jennie McClatchy, Elizabeth & Elsa. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


443 


Evidential Proof: En route from Los Angeles, via San Fran¬ 
cisco : 1922. Pullman. 

SKINNER, Mrs. New York City. 

Beautiful, long hours, of proof, proof, from this one’s “dead” 
were given all the way home to New York City. Miss Hauschild 
was present, and knows Mrs. Skinner also. 

Once, Mrs. Skinner’s Mother, in spirit was proving herself 
present, when she said, “I STOOD IN YOUR ROOM WITH 
YOU WHEN YOU PICKED UP MY BOBBIN WHICH I 
USED TO MAKE TATTING, AND I HEARD YOU SAY, 
“That was Mother’s.” That is absolutely true: and all you 
have brought me from her is true, too. Wonderful, how I 
should have been able to avail myself of your development, 
having it bestowed upon me, as it were,” said Mrs. Skinner. 

Once, en route to Los Angeles, with Miss H-present, we 

encountered a very, very smart old woman, who knew it was all 
false that the “dead” could speak to the living. She was a 
Mason: we were also Masons. After breakfast one morning, 
she came to my seat, and was discussing the usual things this 
kind always say “against” the dead speaking to the living. All 
of a sudden, without a voice, HER HUSBAND SAT IN THE 
OPPOSITE SEAT IN FRONT OF HER, and when he spoke 
he described all their past lives together, his likes and dislikes, 
and others who were with him in spirit. The woman looked 
dumfounded, but said, “I don’t believe it, and I don’t care what 
you can do, that is all true that you have said, and describes my 
husband perfectly, that watchchain, white vest, Masonic charm, 
bald head, gray fedora hat,—in hand,—and he did give me that 
present he described,—but I don’t believe it, and I will never be¬ 
lieve it,” said the woman, who was a type. 

Then the husband, who had taken so much pains to enlighten 
his wife from spirit said: “YOUR RELATIONS THAT 
STUTTERED, THEY ARE ALL HERE TOO.” 

“My goodness,—” said the woman, and left my seat and 
went back to hers. Later, she told Miss H— how her people were 
several who stuttered, these being all in spirit. 


444 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“Pa Goda is calling. Glad I ATE ’er’. Polly Wog wants to 
see Lou Cifer. (W. S.)” 

“Could you use some intelligence? Carrie On, and Fetcham 
A. Long” 

“Mr. Cock Roach & Mr. Dam Roach with Miss Lily Bud, 
are calling” W. S. 

“Sue St. Marie is calling.” 

“Saha Bellum & Sarah Brum are here, Sarah.” W. S. Spirit, 
voice. 

“Rose Geranium, Allie Gator, & Christ I. Anity, are call¬ 
ing.” W. S. 

“Katie Did, with Will O. The Wisp, is here,” W. S. Spirit 
voice to S. T. S. 


Evidential Proof: March 14th, Afternoon. New York City. 
DYMOCK, Mrs., NYC. 

While chatting of various things with this woman caller who 
has been given much evidence that her own who have died are 
with her, never left her, a spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, “She 
came for a message today. Let us talk.” I replied. The spirit 
then said, “I wish to speak of her father, tell her what became 
of him.” (Her step-father) This spirit then said: “I show 
her a PIANO-BOX BUGGY WAITING FOR A MAN TO 
COME AND PLACE SOMETHING IN THE BACK OF IT. 
When this man goes, we watch him go, and stand watching, as 
I make a remark and we all laugh. I am in the window, with 
my hands over my eyes, so (showing me) watching for him to 
return. This MAN WAS THEN DESCRIBED IN DETAIL, 
as well as his malady affecting his feet. This man's mode of 
weeping into his handkerchief, holding it so (showing me) de¬ 
scribed: and the past related. All acknowledged at once by Mrs. 
Dymock. Then this spirit said: “You must know I am here, 
and speaking this. I want you to be so sure of it, that I say 
further, how I WORE A LONG WATCH CHAIN AND WAS 
ALWAYS TWISTING IT, AS I SPOKE, USING MY LEFT 
HAND. YOU KNOW I HAD A BUTTERMILK JUG WITH 
A BLUE BAND ON IT, AND WE USED TO PUT THE 
SOUR CREAM IN IT, WHEN I MADE COOKIES OF 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 445 

THIS CREAM, AND YOU HAVE THIS JUG STILL. (I 
certainly have, said Mrs. Dymock) 

Continuing, this spirit Mother said: “I SIT WITH YOU 
BY THE WINDOW, THERE, IN THAT LOW ROCKING 
CHAIR, WHERE YOU DARN, AND USE MY BASKET 
STILL, AND I HEAR YOU WONDER IF SHE IS WITH 
ME HERE. NO, she is not, yet/’ (All understood, and ac¬ 
knowledged by Mrs. D—) 

The spirit went on: “You know I had sayings of my awn, 
peculiar to me, and these your have from me, too. I had a 
way of TAKING BOTH HANDS WHEN I GREETED A 
FRIEND, as I said, “I want to shake both hands, if you please/’ 
(Acknowledged true) “I CALLED THE PIANO THE IN¬ 
STRUMENT” “THAT COMB IN YOUR HAIR WAS 
MINE.” (Both true, and stated true, by Mrs. Dymock) 

After this Mother in spirit was sure that her daughter in the 
body knew she was speaking here, this Mother went into the 
family affairs, and was understood. The spirit asked how long 
she could stay. Half an hour, said Mrs. D. The spirit spoke on, 
and then said, That will be all then, look at your watch.” “Well, 
said Mrs. D. it is a half hour, all but four minutes.” Showing 
the “dead” have eyes, and see the time on dials, as well as those 
called living. 


DYMOCK, Collie Miss: Evening, same day. 

“Remember the kitten, so long, with its tail over its back?” 
said a spirit to Miss Collie. “Yes, I do.” “Remember how I 
used TO BRAID YOUR HAIR IN TWO PIGS TAILS AND 
TIE THEM, AND BUTTON YOUR APRON DOWN THE 
BACK, AND PUT ON YOUR LITTLE BLACK STRAP 
ONE BUTTON SLIPPERS, WITHOUT STOCKINGS IN 
SUMMER TIME? “I certainly do, said Miss Dymock. “I 
want you to be sure I am with you, love you just the same as of 
old, child. I even go to work with you, see that you most got 
run over hurrying so, at the crossings. Once with your umbrella, 
and once without it. I would like to laugh with you REGARD¬ 
ING THAT MAN WHOSE DICTATION YOU TAKE 
DOWN: THE ONE WHO STOPS AND SAYS “AND”: 



446 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“AND”,—! “Isn’t that wonderful, said the Girl,—that is my 
employer: he does that, certainly does. “And she laughed. “I 
know even when you think of me I hear you think,” said this 
spirit. You were CHANGING THE WATER ON THE FISH 
IN YOUR ROOM, AND YOU WERE WISHING TO COME 
AND SEE WHAT I WOULD SAY ABOUT IT? WERENT 
YOU? “I certainly was, said this granddaughter before me, 
whose GRANDMOTHER WHO “died” 13 years ago was speak¬ 
ing to her, and proving she was there. The rest was of too 
intimate a bearing to relate here: a discussion of this Girl’s plans, 
work, etc. Every time the spirit would touch on another subject, 
she would give another proof, and have it acknowledged, before 
she would go on. 

“Wasn’t it fine, tonight,” said Miss Dymock. All those 
things are absolutely true, and I did get just what I came for, 
as she says.” 

Of course, said I. Our loved ones only want to do for us 
still,—all they ask is to be given the opportunity to help and prove 
themselves able, and here to help.” 


Evidential Proof: March 24th, 1924. 

Dymock Mrs. 

As we spoke a spirit said: “There is a Mother here. To 
prove that I belong at home, I HEARD THE DISCUSSION 
OVER ANSWERING THAT LETTER SHE MUST AN¬ 
SWER. TO PROVE THIS IS MOTHER, I REMEMBER 
THAT WHITE WREATH YOU USED TO WEAR IN 
YOUR HAIR ALL WHITE WITHOUT A SINGLE GREEN 
LEAF, WHEN YOU WERE A GIRL.” 

Mrs. Dymock said: “Odd, isn’t it. The letter is to the 
Y. M. C. A. and Mr. Dymock asked me why I did not send it off 
in the mail, and I promised to do so, but I haven’t, yet. AND 
THE WREATH DESCRIBED WAS OF “BRIDAL 
WREATH” THE SPRING FLOWER, AND THAT 
WREATH WAS MADE FOR ME BY A NEIGHBOR AND 
BROUGHT TO ME TO WEAR TO A PARTY. WHEN I 
WAS A GIRL.” 

Then, said I, it is not odd, but if is wonderful: you are one 



By Shakespeare’s SPIRIT 


447 


of the very few who have absolute proof that your Mother 
is alive, and with you.” 

“Belle Owes is calling, with Rube I. At.” (W. S. in spirit.) 


DYMOCK, Miss Collie: Evening, March 28th, 1924. 

A spirit voice said, while we were talking of many things, 
tonight, “There is one here who sang, who loved THOSE 
RED ROSES WHICH GREW ON THE TRELLIS, AND 
USED TO BREAK OFF ARMSFUL of THOSE LARGE 
VIOLET LILACS.” Oh Yes, that I surely know is Grandma,” 
said Miss Dymock. The spirit continued: “SHE USED TO 
PUT POINTS ON THOSE SMALL, ROUND PIECES, I 
CUT FOR HER, WITH HER LITTLE SCISSORS. (I used 
to make pen-wipers out of them, Yes, indeed,” said Miss Dy¬ 
mock.) The spirit continued: “Who used to do this? Take 
her ring and keep pulling it off, and putting it on, like this (show¬ 
ing me) “Oh, that is great,” said Miss Collie: they used to go 
crazy over that habit of mine.” The spirit then said, “I AM 
ANXIOUS FOR HER TO HAVE MY SMALL STONES 
RING, AND I WISH SHE WOULD GET IT: I WORE IT 
ON MY THIRD FINGER, LEFT HAND.” “I cannot manage 
to get it, and I have tried,” laughed Miss Dymock. “I do so 
want it, too.” The spirit then said, “I want you to be so sure this 
is Grandma, child. Do you remember how I used to rub my 
hands together, so: (showing me, Sarah Shatford, just how.) 
Oh, Yes, indeed,” acknowledged Miss Dymock, whose Grand¬ 
mother’s chum she was. The spirit then said: “Remember how 
I USED TO TAKE HOLD YOUR EAR LOBE: SO: AND 
PUT MY LIPS UP CLOSE AND TALK TO YOU? AND 
TELL YOU, LET US KEEP THAT SECRET TO OUR¬ 
SELVES, AND DON’T TELL ANYONE ELSE?” Yes, in¬ 
deed I do: that’s Grandma, all right,” said Miss Dymock, as she 
laughed over the past, recalled by the Grandmother, LIVING, 
and able to prove herself alive. 

All the rest of the evening, this spirit Grandmother spoke to 
this young woman, in the most intimate way, described her table 
at the office, its papers, racks etc. All of which is too private to 
relate for the public print. All understood by the young lady, 
although I do not understand the things spoken about, in the least. 



448 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof: April 22nd, 1924. NYC. 

Dymock: 

Mrs. Dymock’s Mother in spirit said, as we chatted, “Will 
you tell my daughter it is too early to go to the woods, and too 
quiet for her there in Jersey, and, she SHOULD GO WHERE 
I SO LOVED TO GO, TO THE BOARD WALK, WHERE 
I LOVED TO LOOK IN THE SHOP WINDOWS, and ride 
in a wheel chair. Tell her, to prove that this is Mother, I used 
to hold up my hand, so, and say, one, two, three, so—showing me: 
and I now do this, and say NOT SALT BATHS FOR HER, 
so- (All acknowledged) 

“Baked custard was my favorite pudding,” said this Mother. 
True, said Mrs. D-. 


Evidential Proof: March 19th, 1924, NYC. 

Clerk: Cloak Dept. Gimbels Store: No. 143, March 19th, 1924. 

As I paid a deposit on a cloak in Gimbels store this afternoon, 
to Clerk # 143, (see slip att’d) and the young woman with a 
happy face and a sweet smile, who had waited on me, and who 
had a wonderful disposition, walked away to get me this receipt 
herewith attached, a spirit spoke to me, Sarah Shatford, saying: 
“I wish I could reach my daughter, she is disconsolate here. Tell 
her I see that she will be taken up and lifted out,—tell her I sit 
with them IN THE KITCHEN AT THAT LITTLE TABLE 
NIGHTS AND HEAR THE DISCUSSIONS, AND THAT I 
WANT TO PAT HER ON THE BACK AND SAY “Bravo” 
for the way she overlooked things, and made the best of them.” 

I said to this Mother in spirit, “How can I possibly tell your 
daughter this, here in the busy Dept. Prove that you are her 
Mother.” The Clerk now came back and stood offering me a slip 
of paper. She walked a few steps with me. We spoke of her 
disposition, and I complimented her on it. She then said, “My 
husband and I lost everything across the sea after the war, and 
we have to start again in life.” I said, “Well, you are not alone 
anyway: for I hear the dead: they speak to me: and when you 
left to get me that receipt, YOUR MOTHER SPOKE TO ME 
AND ASKED ME TO TELL YOU THAT SHE WAS 
THERE WITH YOU IN THE KITCHEN AT THAT LIT- 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


449 


TLE TABLE WHEN YOU AND HE ATE AT NIGHT (and 
I repeated the rest) Then I said, “Your Mother asked me to 
reach you for her: now let us see what she wishes to say of her¬ 
self, to prove she is your Mother and here.” At once, a spirit 
voice said: “I USED TO FEED HER RAISINS, INSTEAD 
OF CANDY, AS THEY WERE BETTER FOR HER. ALL 
I CAN DO NOW IS TO GIVE HER THIS RAISIN! MY 
HAIR CURLED NATURALLY ALL AROUND MY FACE 
IN LITTLE RINGLETS: I HAD A PARTITION BETWEEN 
THE TWO FRONT TEETH, AND I OFTEN DID THIS 
(Showing me, how she places her forefinger between the two 
front teeth) I WANT TO TELL HER THAT THE OTHER 
WHO PASSED OUT BEFORE ME WHO WAS SO NEAR 
TO ME IS HERE WITH ME, AND WE ARE BOTH WITH 
HER.” 

“How wonderful,” said the Clerk: that is Mother: Yes, all 
that is true: and her descriptions are all true, also.” Well, I said 
to her, that is only a raisin: but take off my address from your 
slip you just placed on my coat, and come and see me and get 
more, please do: for your Mother implored me to speak to you 
for her.” 

I left this beautiful girl with tears in her eyes, looking after 
me, as I ran to catch the lift, “GOING DOWN,” said the at¬ 
tendant— 

And I wonder now, a few hours later, how that woman 
finished the day’s work after this rapid proof from her own that 
she was not “dead”, .but there, helping, and making herself 
known so that she could only help more. 


Evidential Proof: April 4th, 1924. New York City. 
“Marguerite”: Fidelity Storage Company. New York. 

As I stood in front of this Cashier’s window today, for whom 
I have proved the dead are living before this day, (see file) A 
spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, as swiftly as anyone could 
speak: “Tell her that paper is LOST: not to search for it any 
more, it is lost. I see them search for it, turn up the cushion of 
my chair even to see if I hid it there,—but it is lost. Tell her.” 
This I did. It was understood. “I never died at all. Your 
Mother told you she was awake when I came with Sis and stood 



450 


MY Proof of Immortality 

by her bed, and that is true, I WAS THERE WITH SIS. And 
I am Father, and I am here, and I will see you through. TO 
PROVE I AM FATHER, YOU KNOW I HAD A PERMIT 
TO CARRY A GUN? YOU KNOW HOW I LIKED 
PRUNES, AND USED TO SAY, “Well, if there aren’t any 
send one of the kids for some”. (All recognized) Continuing, 
this spirit said:” “YOU KNOW HOW I LIKED BREAD 
PUDDING, AND ALWAYS WANTED MINE PLAIN, 
WITHOUT RAISINS? YOU KNOW HOW I SUFFERED 
WITH MY BACK ? I SAW YOU FIND THE INSURANCE 
RECEIPTS. BUT YOU WONT FIND THE PAPER MISS¬ 
ING, BECAUSE I BURIED IT WHERE YOU CANT FIND 
IT. BUT ANOTHER DUPLICATE CAN BE MADE, AND 
YOU SET ABOUT THIS, AND GET TWO SIGNATURES 
TO THE PAPER, AND STAMPED TWICE, AND IT WILL 
BE LEGAL.” (All understood ) (Acknowledged as facts, by 
this young woman, whose Father had passed out since I last saw 
her, last August, in fact, which I had not heard, known, until I 
saw her in black today. 

This spirit then said: “The first one I saw was Sis. She 
said, “Oh Papa, I’m so glad you’ve come!” And I was glad, too. 
Now Mother is sick, and she will come over soon. When the 
turkeys are stuffed, or thereabout. This is what I want you to 
do then.” (All too private to relate here for publication.) This 
spirit Father then said, “Again, to prove that I am Papa, and 
hear all that is said, I want TO TELL YOU THAT I HEAR 
WHAT YOUR BROTHER SAID, AND INSTEAD OF 
FINDING SO MUCH FAULT HE BETTER LOOK TO 
HIS OWN LIFE, SEEK GOD’S HELP, AND PROFIT BY 
WHAT I TOLD HIM WHILE I WAS ABLE TO ADVISE 
HIM, AS THINGS HAVE TURNED OUT FOR HIM JUST 
AS I SAID. TELL HIM NOT TO LIE FOR ANYBODY 
TO GET THOSE WAGES, THROW UP HIS JOB FIRST.” 
All of which was understood, and acknowledged by this young 
woman. Much else, of greater value to this cause, was related, 
but owing to its private nature, its family relation, its value must 
be ignored, and lost to this testimony entirely, as I have never 
used spirit revelations of this nature, wish to cause no censure 
for my part, all given, free, willingly, to help both the dead and 
theirs in body. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


451 


Evidential Proof. April 4th, 1924. 

“KITTY”: Waitress: 

A spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, this afternoon, while at 
luncheon, “ASK KIT FOR MOTHER IF SHE REMEMBERS 
HOW SHE USED TO PLAY LADY IN MY DRESSES 
WHEN A CHILD? ASK HER IF SHE REMEMBERS 
HOW SHE THREW THE TRAIN OVER HER WRIST, 
HAD A POCKETBOOK HANGING ON HER ARM, AND 
A FAN SHE USED SO (showing me just how) “I do,” said 
Kitty.” 

“And does she REMEMBER WHEN THE KITCHEN 
CHIMNEY BURNED OUT, THE SPARKS FLEW SO 
PUGH (showing me those sparks, also) : and does she remember 
WHEN HER BROTHER HURT HIS RIGHT FOOT, AL¬ 
MOST CUT OFF THE TOE ?” “I should say I do,” said Kitty. 

Continuing, this spirit Mother then said: “That man has 
made that Girl you brought up a promise: if she will do so and 
so, he will do thus and so: I want to tell you that you cannot 
trust that man. He will keep his promise so long (indicating a 
small portion of the little finger, to me) I used to do that,” said 
the spirit. I used to snap my fingers so, and say “I wouldnT 
give you that, for it” (recognized by Kitty). I STOOD WITH 
YOU IN YOUR LITTLE ROOM WITH ITS SINGLE BED 
WHEN YOU SAID, THEY SHOULD GIVE ME A CLEAN 
SPREAD OFTENER.” “I did say that, just the other night,” 
said Kitty. “Now I want to tell you about that other man, the 
one divorced, a Catholic divorced, and you cannot understand 
what he has told you. His wife divorced him because he drank. 
I USED TO SAY “TIPPED HIS ELBOW TOO OFTEN”. 
(Recognized, admitted understood, by Kitty.) 

After this, this Mother in spirit discussed swiftly, and with¬ 
out error all that was transpiring in the life of three girls, two 
of whom Kitty raised, after they were left orphans. “The one 
who wants an education so bad, she should go to night school, 
tell her”, etc. etc. all understood, and much that I cannot record 
for the public owing to its confidential nature, as from Mother 
to daughter. Their inmost secrets were told, advised as to these, 
and this Catholic girl knows her Mother is not dead, that she is 
with her, and able to prove herself alive, and the same good 
Mother she always was. 


452 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Evidential Proof,—Monday, April 14th, 1924. 

GRANT Marion Miss, (Asbury Park, N. J.) 

WILDMAN, Mrs. H. V. 108 W 94th St. NYC 
EEBARFALD Judith M. Miss, 79 West 127th St. NYC. (Mrs. 

Wildman present at all these) 

A spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, pointing to the young 
woman before me, Miss Marion Grant, “This girl used to sit upon 
my knee and smooth my hair, so, with her little hand, and she 
used to comment on the ONE WAVE IN MY HAIR JUST 
NEXT TO THE PART, AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN PUT 
IN WITH AN IRON. She knows I wore a Beard, AND 
USED TO SAY HOW THANKFUL I WAS THAT I WAS 
NOT A SHAVING ADDICT, AND HOW I WISHED I 
COULD TRIM MY OWN HAIR ALSO! She always called 
me Papa: I used to love those bells struck with a hammer, so, 
to make music, and WOULD SAY TO THIS GIRL OF MINE, 
COME LET US GO TO THE SHOW TONIGHT, THEY 
HAVE AN ARTIST PLAYING THE BELLS THERE. She 
and I were pals. I used to mark down things on my cuff. I 
used to make those O.K letters on great numbers of papers, so 
high. Those blue print drawings, used to make my head ache. 
I was very strict with the girls, and I think now I was too strict. 
This child of ours is going into a new business venture, wants to 
know if she should borrow all that money, move in town where 
the rents are so high,—take a partner,— (and so on, and on, into 
all the pending business) Continuing, this spirit said: “The girl 
who wishes to become your partner,—(discussing this) Your 
brother,—his new buildings, etc. Your sister,—Mother and that 
one I wish to tell her about,—and on and on for Five hours, this 
Father spoke to his daughter regarding all the affairs of his 
family, home, their interests, vexations,—discussing as he might 
in body all that concerned their several lives entirely. All of 
which I cannot write for the public. 

At last, this father in spirit said: “Take her hands in both 
yours, kiss each one for me, and say, PROMISE ME YOU 
WILL BE A GOOD GIRL.” This young woman burst into 
tears, as she said, “That was father’s last act and words to me.” 
(All acknowledged true.) 

While these-ladies were discussing the above, the bell rang, 
and Miss Bebarfeld came in. She gave her name, said that I 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


453 


had given her the most remarkable proof on the Grand Con¬ 
course Bus last August that her Mother was with her, and knew 
all that had transpired, and was about to take place. Since then, 
she had gone where her Mother had said she would, had been 
examined for trouble in the right lung, and found well, as her 
Mother had said: (see “Judith” proof) and had verified every 
proof given her by this Mother in spirit through her own sisters. 
One of these was the description of her Mother’s wedding ring, 
which her sister was wearing. 

As she spoke a spirit spoke to me, saying: “There are three 
of us today who brought you here the second time: father is here 
and your brother (Walter was called). The young woman said, 
“Yes, I was here Sunday, and you were out.” The proof these 
three spirits brought before allowed to give help to this girl was 
as follows: “My Neapolitan bonnet with the black lace ruffle, 
so wide, the strings of which I used to tie once, so, in the hot 
weather: she has seen me at prayer, before my bed, with clasped 
hand, so, kneeling on. that oval, braided rag rug in front of my 
bed. This girl and I were confidants: we were like sisters. And 
this Mother in spirit went into all the family lives when she was 
in a body, telling of her help to the family, spoke of THE FINE 
PENMANSHIP OF THIS DAUGHTER, AND THE LONG 
ROWS OF S’s MADE IN PRACTICE THERE ON THE 
DINING ROOM TABLE, WHERE SHE SET THE LAMP 
FOR HER TO WORK OVER THE SAME. The rain-coat 
worn by this girl as she left for work was described, “WITH A 
CAPE, BLUE”: after which the brother in spirit said, “SHE 
KNOWS HOW PROUD I WAS OF MY WATCH FOB, A 
GOLD LION, WHICH I INHERITED, CAME FROM 
ENGLAND. (“Indeed I do,” said Miss Bebarfald), “and how 
she used to tie my bow tie, a navy polka dot bow tie, for me. 
Yes, yes indeed,” (acknowledged all) After which this brother 
discussed his manner of passing out, spoke of his father in spirit, 
and while in body, giving proof that he too was present, his dis¬ 
position, ideals, high mind, literary tastes, all told by spirit,—-all 
acknowledged as fast as I could speak and repeat what the spirits 
were saying for me to repeat. 

The powerlessness to repeat the best evidence because of its 
privacy, excludes that which takes away the breath, so minute in 
detail, verified by tears, assent, gratitude beyond words, too 


454 


MY Proof of Immortality 


sacred for words. Never anything alluded to not understood: 
after which private aims, outlook, family affairs, all intimately 
told, proving the dead know all that is transpiring and have never 
died. 


Evidential Proof: April 28th, Monday Evening, 7.30. 

GRANT, Marion Miss. 

WILDMAN, Mariana, Mrs. 

A spirit voice said to me, Sarah Shatford, “this girl (Miss 
Grant) here remembers how I USED TO TAKE OFF HER 
SHOES AND STOCKINGS, HOLDING HER ON MY LAP, 
SO (with her back to him) : she remembers how I used to say, 
“Well, there’s nobody coming, so let’s go to bed!” “She will tell 
you THAT I AM RIGHT WHEN I SAY HER MOTHER 
QUARRELED OVER WHAT I BROUGHT TO HER 
HERE, AND RIDICULED MY BEST, WHEN SHE WENT 
HOME AND TOLD ALL I HAD SAID HERE, AND I 
HEARD WHAT THE BOY SAID, TOO, IF I HAD LEFT 
HIM BETTER FIXED, etc (too personal to repeat). “I admit 
all that is true, and understand it all,” said Miss Grant. 

After which the family intentions, move, businesses (two) 
were all gone into in every way, all comprehended, with Mrs. 
Wildman present. This young woman’s admirer was described, 
his personal traits discussed, what this father in spirit had heard 
this man say to this child of his,—and more that is all great 
evidence, but too private to write for the public. Thus the best 
evidence is lost for this file, and we must print what cannot 
wound any one. 

After this spirit father had finished, he said: “ASK HER 
WHO USED TO CARRY HER FIRST BABY TOOTH 
AROUND IN HIS VEST POCKET?” “He did!” said Miss 
Grant. 

This spirit said, among other things, that his mere handful 
he was allowed to bring when she came after it was envied by 
spirits long in spirit land who had never HAD THE CHANCE 
TO BRING A SINGLE PINCH OF PROOF OR WORDS 
TO THEIRS IN BODIES.” That is just how he expressed it, 
“a single pinch of proof”. This spirit called several family 
names, described himself, his clothes, his mannerisms, how he 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


455 


held his hands while speaking, how he used to say, “Well who 
is going to fry my pancakes this morning?” And so much else, 
of himself, which only his own could know. 

As so much has been recorded for Mrs. Wildman, I only 
mention here that a spirit in giving his proof “pass-port” said to 
her, “You recall MY SQUARED TOED SHOES MADE TO 
MEASURE OF KID, LIGHT AND ROOMY? YOU RE¬ 
CALL MY LONG LINKED GOLD WATCH CHAIN, WITH 
LINKS SO LONG, I USED TO TWIRL WITH MY RIGHT 
HAND SO (showing me) AS I TALKED, WHICH HAD A 
LODGE CHARM ON IT? AND HOW I ALSO TWIRLED 
MY STICK WITH THE SQUARE TOP, UNTIL YOU 
WOULD FUSS WITH ME AND SAY DON’T DO THAT, 
IT MIGHT SLIP AND STRIKE ME?” To which Mrs. 
Wildman replied, Certainly Certainly I recall that,—and “Yes, 
that I recall,” to everything remembered by this spirit, who 
gave his initials, discussed financial matters, property, and values, 
sales of properties, Lawyers, and their fees, journeys,—and 
everything a mortal could discuss, verily. 


Evidential Proof: April 4th, 1924. New York. 

Wildman, Mrs. H. V., Sr., New York City. 

“There is a spirit here who wore a checked cap, carried a 
stick with a square silver top, and the habit of hanging it on the 
mantel, back of a chair, or anywhere. I want to commend you 
for the business transaction across the border (Canada) I 
couldn’t have done better myself.” “The man (described) whose 
desk sat so: (described) who said: (told) and you said (re¬ 
peated) was dumbfounded at the result of your offer to him to 
cancel.” (All which was relating to a business interview in 
Toronto, which proved that this spirit was accompanying this 
woman at this time, knew all that had transpired. The hotel was 
described, her lady companion, what had been said, often, etc. 
All just as a human being would talk, no less. What had been 
said three weeks ago in Toronto! Repeated by a spirit to me, 
Sarah Shatford, today, to his in body, in her home in New York 
City. Continuing this spirit said, “THOSE STONES I 
CAUSED TO BE PLACED OVER THE BORDER, THESE 
ARE MY MONUMENT.” This spirit was a Government ^Con¬ 
tractor, built the great bridge known everywhere in Canada.” 



456 MY Proof of Immortality 

Evidential Proof: Easter Monday, April 21st, 1924. New York 

City. 

“LILIAN”: West Indian servant of the Wildman’s. 

“There is a sister here who used to be called “Sis” by you. 
She has a child so high (showing me, Sarah Shatford, how tall) 
with her in spirit, and Mother is here with us.” This was said 
by a spirit to me, as these had requested the last time I was at 
the Wildman’s to tell the girl down stairs hers wished to help her, 
and told what she was worrying over: her father. 

Today, this sister in spirit continued: “You know I passed 
over in a hurry: you and I used to shake those fruit trees, with 
the hard shells, and fill those tall baskets full, and carry them on 
our heads. We two sisters made our first communion together, 
and wore those white dresses with the sashes. Now, I stand 
beside you when you made out those orders at the Post Office 
for Father, back home, and he can’t do anything now but hold 
that flag and be a watchman, but that is all you can do for him, 
and he suffers so with his feet. You worried yesterday because 
you could not put flowers on our graves back home, those FLAT 
GRAVES, NO MOUNDS, over us: but you see we are not there, 
we are here with her, so don’t care about that. Don’t worry over 
the one who comes in to tell you their troubles, it can’t be helped 
by you. And now you know I used to snap my fingers, so, and 
say I don’t care a fig, so,—well listen now, for that man has 
already a child he does not support, and does not support its 
mother, so would he support you ? He cares more for your body 
than he does for God. Mother will tell you the rest. I see you 
going back home, just to visit: for you would not be satisfied to 
live there again. I never left you, and I never will.” 

A spirit then stepped to my side, and said, “I am this one’s 
Mother. A tall woman, hair iron gray, parted in the middle, steel 
bowed spectacles, a cross bar fichu, a long full apron, and I held 
my hands so, in front of me, crossed, at the waist line, so, (show¬ 
ing me, Sarah Shatford, just how) “I want to say to my girl 
here that Mother knows how she worries over the way she treated 
me, and wonders if I have forgiven her. She worries dreadfully. 
I do forgive her. She kept everything to herself, told me nothing, 
had she told me all I would have understood her, and she would 
not have needed to have done what she did. Tell her. Tell her 
I say for her to drop that man like she would a bucket of fire. 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


457 


So. Hurry. And go away, go as far away from him as you can. 
For there is no happiness with him for you. Tell her I used to 
call her to me, and kiss her forehead, so—and say, My child, dont 
run so fast,— Tell her I was the one who LOVED CRAN¬ 
BERRIES SO. Tell her I know how she feels in her surround¬ 
ings where she lives, and she is right about her surmises. Get 
out of the city, and pack THAT YELLOW STRAW CASE 
OF YOURS for Mother, and we will go along, and help. And 
be comforted by this message, FOR IF A BANK BOOK LAY 
ON THAT CHAIR THERE, AND I WAS GIVEN MY 
CHOICE FOR HER OF IT, OR, THIS CHANCE TO 
PROVE WE ARE HERE, I WOULD TAKE THE CHANCE 
T 9 PROVE WE CANNOT DIE.” “Lila,” was called from 
spirit by this Mother. 

All of this was acknowledged, understood, received grate¬ 
fully, and as fast as I could speak, and the name was hers, also. 


Evidential Proof: April 25th, 1924. N.Y.C. 7 P.M. 
MORGAN, Mrs. Huntington, L. I. (Brought by Miss Baum¬ 
gardner y 

“There is the spirit of a father here. A spirit of an old 
gentleman appears here, without his hat, and calls my attention, 
first, to his high rubber boots. He is tall, is without a coat, wears 
a striped shirt and a black bow tie. He has a fine, beautiful head 
and brow, full forehead, gray beard, and thin gray hair, quite 
long. He says he is of your father’s people, while you take after 
your mother’s people. He says, “tell her she knows how I loved 
the open places, used to say, “Look, there goes a flock of fine 
birds!” How I used to bring home the first May apple, and star- 
flowers. I drove over my own lands.” Then, this spirit showed 
me a picture of the small house with a porch, on a knoll, with 
its driveway, and the whitewashed stones at the comer of this, 
in front. “This place had an evergreen tree in the front yard,” 
said this spirit. “I have my gun here, too: I used to hunt wild 
game.” 

All of this was recognized by Mrs. Morgan at once. After 
which this spirit went into the business propositions which had 
been made this woman, giving part of her daily life, habits, etc., 
to prove he came along with her. 



458 


MY Proof of Immortality 


“Eva”, was called from spirit, when this spirit described her¬ 
self, resembling the woman before me very much. This name, 
and spirit both recognized as true by Mrs. Morgan. “There is a 
spirit here who used his hands so, placing the tips of all fingers 
together in front of him. This was recognized too, as a habit 
of hers in spirit. Many proofs were given as fast as I could 
speak, and each time any important advice was given, proof was 
given anew, that it came from spirit. This spirit said: “She is 
a medium herself, and has figured out for her in dreams all her 
problems, and she travels in spirit.” Is that true? I asked of 
Mrs. Morgan? “Yes” she said, “it is.” The spirits then told her 
how she had asked the spirits to write messages on slates for her, 
and to get in touch herself with spirits. This too was admitted 
true. Advice was given against this, for this woman. Over and 
over, all concerning her was discussed, sometimes in symbol, al¬ 
ways acknowledged at once as true, and understood. 

At last this spirit said, “Again, to prove I am with you, 
know all that transpires, I say that I STOOD BY AT HOME 
WHILE THAT UNEMPTIED CHAMBER WAS THE 
CAUSE OF WORDS.” 

“My goodness,” said this woman, “isn’t that wonderful proof. 
Certainly it was: that is enough evidence for me,” said she, “that 
spirits accompany me and know everything, for I have rebuked 
the maid on this, and I had to make words over it, which I did.” 

“There is a spirit here formerly arriving in her own phaeton, 
and who had to be helped to alight from it at your door. I 
carried a small, black fan, half-opened, and used it so (showing 
me how she had handled this fan) and I was very grave in man¬ 
ner, droll, and plain spoken.” 

“You needn’t go any further,” said Miss Baumgardner, “that 
is my Mother’s Aunt, and everything you say is exactly her, 
everything, even the fan.” 

A message was then given, of a private family nature, by 
this Aunt, for this girl, when she said, “We shall be here often, 
before you go back home, (Toledo) and so good-night.” 

“Well,” said Miss B— “that Aunt used to say just what she 
thought, and she never minced matters at all, that is known of 
all the family.” 

As Miss B—’s Mother has been very ill, it was not strange 
that this near relative of her Mother’s should be the one chosen 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


459 


to speak, if only one spirit could be recognized, owing to my long 
message for the one accompanying Miss B. 

“The tragedy of life is death: the tragedy of death is life”: 
I hear this said just here. 


Evidential Proof: April 25th, NY.C 
“Mazie”, friend of Mrs. Garrett: 

(Mrs. Vanderbeck) 

A spirit said: “This is a Mother who had to be helped and 
supported, even to stand, at the last. My limbs were so swollen, 
and I had two operations. I called her Sister, she called me Sis. 
I used to stand in the front window and hold back the curtains 
and wave my hand at her, so, when she left. I went to that small 
station, and waited for the train which brought her home. My 
favorite flowers were white lilacs. I was always slipping Coleus, 
we had a large bed of them, with a geranium in the center. She 
will remember all the grape jelly I made, and put up IN THOSE 
OLD FASHIONED GLASSES WITH THE PANELS ON 
THEM? (Yes,) and she and I made so many pickles, chopped 
tomatoes,—I used to pick the red peppers for these, a whole 
bucket full, so long these peppers were (showing me) 

She will remember when we shingled the old house? (Yes, 
indeed,) and how we gathered all those old shingles up for fire 
kindling? (Yes) Remember all the shoe buttons I sewed on 
WITH MY WAXED THREAD, ON THOSE HIGH BOOTS ? 
(Yes) I taught her to cut BY BUTTERICK PATTERNS, 
laying the cloth on the diningroom table. (Yes) 

I used to take the shears and go out and cut a large bouquet 
of bachelor buttons. (Yes) She will remember the well water 
we used to have to carry, the fine cool, spring water, which I used 
to go for just before we went to bed nights? (Yes indeed, said 
Mrs. Vanderbeck, I remember every single thing she has men¬ 
tioned) We used to keep a SMALL, ROUND DIPPER WITH 
A LONG HANDLE IN THE WATER BUCKET. (Yes) 

She remembers how I hated the kitchen. (Yes, indeed) 
Those large, white, thin, sugar cookies of mine? (Yes) She 
knows there is A WEEPING WILLOW TREE ON MY LOT 
WHERE I AM BURIED (there is so, said Mrs. Vanderbeck) 
I will now describe what the Doctors did to me. (Then this 



460 


MY Proof of Immortality 


spirit told of her malady, the surgical operations, and then said, 
“I said at the time I might as well be dead as the way I had to 
live and suffer, so we had the second operation.” (That is true 
also.) 

“I loved the American Flag! (Indeed she did!) There was 
always a jealousy because of my love for this sister, and I had 
to operate against this. (Recognized by sitter) She recalls how 
I would take the scrubbing brush out of her hand when she 
wished to help polish the kitchen ware, how I would say, No: 
you shall not do that, I will do that.” (I do, said Mrs. V) She 
has seen me pick and string an apron full of green beans, so many 
to eat them (Yes) She has seen me take a broom and sweep 
that WOODEN KITCHEN GUTTER RUNNING FROM 
THE KITCHEN SINK. (Often, said Mrs. V.) Now, if she 
is satisfied that I am sister, and here, I will begin about her own 
affairs, and her health, which is not so bad as the Doctors claim 
it is.” 

“I am perfectly sure that is my sister, for who could know 
those things but her? You have told me all those things you 
could not know. Who else could it be?” Said Mrs. Vanderbeck. 
“This was a sister who raised me, and I called her “Mother” for 
I never knew any other.” (The spirit had called herself both 
Mother and sister) 


All else beside given by this spirit was comprehended by this 
woman in body, the different doctors described who had exam¬ 
ined her, and what these had said,—while each time the spirit 
made an assertion, she verified that it came from her, by more 
proof, saying, “I said that, Sister, you remember how I used to 
say: “Eat more good meat and potatoes, and you will be all 
right?” (I have heard her say that hundreds of times, we used 
to laugh at her prescription, the same for everything) Continu¬ 
ing, this spirit said, “You have my photo IN A SQUARE 
FRAME, and I see you place a flower beside it, so don’t worry 
about the graves, we are not there at all.” (True, also) “There 
is a spirit of a man here who always carried his pencil back of 
his ear, and she was always borrowing it. (Yes, indeed, recog¬ 
nized at once) This is a Scotchman with a brogue, and you used 
to make me rough it for you at times, in order to laugh. (Yes, 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


461 


indeed) I wore a Scotch cap, with two streamers so long at the 
back (Yes indeed) A father’s spirit is here, too, asks to say: 
etc. etc. Two long hours of intimate recollections, conversations, 
with the “dead” living, cognizant, and more—able to prove they 
never died at all. 


(Evidential Proof) 

Vanderbeck Mrs. (Mazie) : NYC. 

Having registered the foregoing evidence, and filed same, as 
final, I was awakened the next night by this spirit Sister of Mrs. 
Vanderbeck, who said to me, Sarah Shatford, as naturally as any 
mortal could, “YOU FORGOT TO WRITE DOWN ABOUT 
THE DRESS WITH THE BULLET BUTTONS, AND MY 
LOVE OF LETTUCE, AND HOW I ATE IT JUST WITH 
SALT.” I did so, said I, and I will make an addition of it for 
us all.” This spirit said, “Mazie was astonished at all I brought.” 
I learn, now, that this also is true, as “Mazie” told Mrs. Hayes 
“it was like talking to her sister in person, all the direct truths, 
mentioned as fast as Mrs. S could speak.” 

When this spirit gave the above evidence to her sister, and 
mentioned the “dress with all those bullet buttons on it up the 
front, way up to the neck”, “Mazie” said “Yes, I made that dress 
for her.” “This sister was always gathering lettuce for her own 
supper, and just as she said, ate it with salt, as she preferred it 
that way.” 

“Jerry Flee & Jerry Fla, are calling, with Frau De Avelow”. 
W. S. Spirit. 


Evidential Proof: Tuesday, April 29th, 10 A.M. N.Y.C. 
“BARNEY”: Houseman: (Niewenhous & Co.) 

While “Barney” worked oiling floors, and I was busied in 
another room, a spirit at my side said to me, Sarah Shatford, 
“Tell him for his Mother that Papa was right when he told him 
I came in the night to say we are going to fetch him across soon. 
Say for me that his father sits with clasped hands and twirls his 
thumbs, hours at a time, and I see him do it. Say for me, I was 
standing right there when his Boy told him in his face that he 




462 


MY Proof of Immortality 


would quit going to school and earn his own living. And say that 
he should make him do this to learn to respect the father who is 
earning his education for him.” “Elfreida” said this spirit. Rec~ 
ognized by Barney. 

I said to “Barney”, “Do you want to hear what the spirit of 
your Mother has to say? Or, shall I keep to myself what she 
has just told me?” “Certainly, I wish to know if you can tell 
me any more, for every word you told me before was God’s truth. 
My wife, she don’t want to believe me! That you told me all 
that from my Mother who is dead.” So I told Barney. And this 
spirit Mother stood by my side, and continued: “My Boy, you 
know how you used to run in to me asking for pennies, and I 
would say, “Mama doesn’t want you to eat so much candy, it 
isn’t good for you? And how your father used to come home 
late from his work through that dreadful snow, covered with 
snow, and ice, and stamp his feet, and how I used to wrap my 
arms about him and say “Oh, Papa! Papa!” (Barney was cry¬ 
ing) The spirit continued: “I see your father failing fast: you 
will soon have a funeral bill to pay: but you know I am here and 
he wants to come, he tells us so, so you must not weep and 
mourn and carry on so, for he is ready, and we are ready to take 
him. Your wife is sick here (placing her hand upon my chest) 
and one of the children, the one who studies at night, takes after 
her, and she needs strong tonics, and to get away, and you should 
fake them all and get out of the city, and look for a porter’s job, 
at a Hotel. If you do, you go first and send back for them. You 
will do better, and be better off too. Who made “mal-taschens” 
for you? “Mother.” 

“That is all true,—every single word of it is true,—” said 
“Bamey”who sat on the floor, shaking his head, Yes, yes,— Can 
I bring my wife here? Asked Barney. SHE don’t believe me! 
She ought to hear what you told me today. 

Bring her, then,—said I: and bring that sister in Jersey 
whose Boy ran away from home, whom your Mother wished to 
help, when she told of it, last month. Fetch her, also, said I. 

“Barney” left with a hat for his wife, a book, and a song, 
for the Rabbi, after a good drink I made for him, with an apple 
in his hand, and $5.50 in his pocket. Yet they say there is no 
“brotherhood” of man today . 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


463 


Evidential Proof: (Kept by Miss Hauschild, in her own hand¬ 
writing) Attached. 

Hauschild, Louise, Miss: A few things recalled by Miss 

H- brought In by the spirits of her dear ones, through my 

hearing, to prove themselves alive. Should Miss Hauschild recall 
all they have brought it would fill a large volume, as there is Six 
years of it,—As she often says, “It seems a miracle they can find 
anything new to mention.” 

On train enroute—Aunt Hanna’s name called, Cousin Anna 
described—Thick brown hair with auburn tints About mother— 
stating about me hesitating to take my skunk fur—Took squirrel 
piece instead. 

At Hotel Clark—All reported—Mother, father, Grandma & 
Grandpa—Uncle William—(1st time) Cousin Anna. About 
pansies on mother’s grave. 

At Westlake Park—Mother described how her ears were 
pierced for earrings—Stated one too low for screw earrings. 
Uncle William about taking “Russell’s Emulsion.” 

At Engstrum—Mother described her “Della Fox Curl” 
Father stating I did not care to learn violin Mother reported her 
black laced kid gloves—her ribbon, neck ruflf, pleated with Che¬ 
nille strings—Her lavender silk dress with cordings—Grandma 
dancing jig 

At Engstrum—Father humming “Floradora Sextette Mel¬ 
ody” Mentioned how he muted the violin, when he played. 
Grandma about her black alpaca apron with velvet ribbon trim¬ 
ming. 

Dear Mrs. Shatford: 

Ofttimes, I sit and think about the wonderful messages 
you have given to me from my own in spirit, so I thought 
to write down a few, but my dear, I could write a book, full 
of them. Thought about our wonderful trip to California, and 
back. My own dear ones were with me from the day we started 
until we returned, reporting daily. 

Mother reported being with me while packing my trunk 
and how I decided not to take my skunk neckpiece but took 
my squirrel fur instead. My dear cousin, Anna, reported de¬ 
scribing her beautiful hair with its auburn tints. Uncle Wil¬ 
liam described his Hunters chased watch case and how he would 



464 


MY Proof of Immortality 


sole his own shoes. Mother described her “Della Fox” curl and 
about having her ears pierced too low for screw earrings. Uncle 
Will reported having to take “Russell’s Emulsion.” Pop re¬ 
ported how he played the violin with his hair bow open, also 
how he would mute his violin. 

Mother reported putting up her front hair with papers for 
“spit curls” with quince seed. Grandma reported the entire in¬ 
cidents, relative to her death. Dear Anna reported the incidents 
at Lake George relative to her death. Grandpa mentioned the 
bakery and the old-fashioned brown “bolivas” he would buy 
for me. Anna mentioned items regarding a summer vacation 
she had to pass by due to a certain wedding. 

Mother reported about her black laced Fownes gloves and her 
plaited neck ruff with Chenille streamers. Pop mentioned an 
old-fashioned tintype picture with three people thereon, namely: 
mother, Anna and myself. Grandma reported being very stern 
and strict with the children, often “cuffing” our ears and Grand¬ 
pa interceding for us. 

Many of the foregoing messages may seem trivial but all 
the more dear to me because they are personal and truly evi¬ 
dential. I swear all the foregoing true and evidential proof 
from my own and again I repeat, were I to record all I ever 
received, I could fill a book. 

With love to you, as ever, I remain, 

Yours sincerely, 

LOUISE HAUSCHILD. 


Evidential Proof: Friday, May 2nd, 1924. Fifth Avenue Bus, 
N. Y. C. 

FISCHER: Mrs. 

“Mrs. Fischer” accidentally stepped on my foot while get¬ 
ting on the Bus. Apologizing, we had to sit together. Thus, we 
spoke, this time, to a stranger. Mrs. Fischer spoke with a for¬ 
eign accent, was dressed in black and had a lovely smile. When 
we were seated, and before this woman spoke to me of the 
beautiful day, a spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, “She both 
hears and sees the spirits. She welcomes them at night, and 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


465 


holds conversation with them. She could give you messages. 
I should like to tell her who you are, and tell her I am here. 
I am hers WHO WAS ALWAYS HOMESICK, who longed 
to go back to the Fatherland,—she nursed me so faithfully, and 
told me we should never part, and it is true we have not.” 

Telling Mrs. Fischer just this, and receiving her willing 
admission that it was true, all true, she said, “Yes, and he DID 
go back to Germany, but he was never well after.” 

Continuing, in the noise and bustle of the tram, this spirit 
said: “I USED EYEGLASSES WITH STEEL-FRAMES, 
FOLDING THEM TOGETHER, SO, CARRYING THEM 
IN THE VEST POCKET ON THE LEFT WHEN NOT 
READING WITH THEM. I CARRIED A SQUARE TOP 
WALKING STICK, AND HELD IT TO MY LIPS, SO. 
SHE HAS MY FOUNTAIN PEN I ALWAYS CARRIED 
IN THE VEST POCKET.” 

All this was admitted true by Mrs. Fischer, who smiled, 
and was so glad to get this proof from her own, from me, a 
stranger she had only seen Ten minutes or so. 

This spirit said: “She has a child in the spirit, a girl; an 
uncle, and her Mother.” “That is all true, too,” said Mrs. 
Fischer. But the spirit said, “SHE HOLDS THESE IN HER 
HOME THROUGH LOVE, AND DOES NOT NEED YOU 
TO TELL HER, BUT WE WANT TO SAY THAT THE 
DAUGHTER, ABOUT 30 YEARS OLD, WILL SUCCEED 
IN RISING TO THE TOP, WHERE SHE IS AMBITIOUS 
TO OCCUPY A CERTAIN POSITION JUST ABOVE 
HERS AT THE PRESENT TIME. I SPEAK OF THE 
PLACE WHERE SHE IS NOW, WHERE THAT MAN 
LOSES HIS AWFUL TEMPER.” 

“That is so true—all of it,” said this woman beside me. 
Adding, “ I trust she will.” This spirit continuing, said, “THE 
BOY WILL LEAVE SOON: HE MUST: HE IS TIRED 
OUT HERE: DON’T BE UPSET WHEN HE DOES: IT 
IS ALL FOR THE BEST: HE KNOWS WE ARE HERE, 
AND HELP HIM, HIS IDEALS ARE HIGH: SO DON’T 
GRIEVE. AND DON’T GO INTO BUSINESS, AS YOU 
ARE THINKING OF DOING, WORK FOR A SALARY, 
AND HAVE YOUR HOLIDAYS, we won’t want to see you 


466 


MY Proof of Immortality 


burdened with a business of your own. You should have taken 
that chance to marry that came your way, it was a mistake 
for you to be so unselfish.” And the spirit said to me, “She 
works with her needle, so beautifully.” “Yes,—Yes, all is so 
perfectly true, I would think they were speaking to me,” said 
Mrs. Fischer, who got off at 145th St. West. & Broadway, 
after she had spoken of many things to me, and told me she 
had lived in the same Apartment for 29 years. 

Just a word, here, then, regarding the joy I felt to meet, 
on the way, ONE PERSON WHO UNDERSTOOD THAT 
THE DEAD ARE LIVING AND HERE WITH US, AND 
WHO SPEAKS WITH HER OWN EACH DAY, SEEING 
THEM, AS WELL. She shook my hand in saying good-by, 
and after reaching the sidewalk, threw me a kiss—made as 
happy as I, by finding ANOTHER ONE who could understand 
the truth of God which shall some day make all “free.” 

Goodby, Mrs. Fischer! How; I hate to leave you. Good- 
by, and good luck! And God bless you, and yours. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


Evidential Proof: Sat. evening, May 3rd, 1924. New York. 
HARRIS: D. P. Mr. 

“There is a spirit here who used his hand so, (showing me) 
w r hile speaking earnestly, while he said, “As sure as you’re 
born.” This spirit says he took you by the shoulders, so, and 
said, “You’ll have to slow down”: he says, “I suffered with my 
head at the last. I am Father, and I wish to refer to the loss 
financial you have experienced because you trusted that one 
too implicitly, and he was false. I always told you that you 
trusted people too much. Now you see I was right. Mother 
is here with me tonight, and she will speak for herself. I wish 
to say of this man, and that big loss, etc., etc. (discussion fol¬ 
lowed, just as mortals discuss business affairs). 

The spirit of a woman then said, “He knows how I used 
to be so particular about the lines being straight w T hen the peas 
were planted at home. He knows how I used to sit on the veran¬ 
dah IN THAT SPLINT CHAIR, and go to the road to look 
for father, and how I placed my hand over my eyes, so (show- 




467 


By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 

ing me) How I used to take his hand when he was leaving and 

smooth it, so,—and say, “Take better care of yourself,-” 

I used to rub the hair tonic on his head,” Etc. Etc., the rest 
being family talk, relating to members thereof,—all the above 

understood, and acknowledged as being true of Mr. H- *s 

parents, who described themselves, their clothes, gifts from this 
son, etc. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: May 4th, 1924, Sunday, P. M., 

New York. 

Ellsworth, Harry Merriam, Mrs. (601 W. 168th St., N. Y. C.) 
Osterheld, H. H. } Mrs. (Sisters) 

A spirit said to me, Sarah Shatford, “This one on the right 

hand (Mrs. E.-) is mediumistic. SHE HAS SEEN A 

SPIRIT WHO CAME TO THE FOOT OF HER BED, SO 
SHE KNOWS WE ARE HERE.” 

“Is that true?” I asked of Mrs. Ellsworth. 

“Yes,-” said this woman I had never seen before. 

Continuing, the spirit voice said: “AFTER SHE SAW 
THIS SPIRIT SHE WAS SATISFIED, AND DID NOT 
WORRY ANY MORE.” “That is true,” said this lady. 

As these were sisters, the same spirits were for both, ex¬ 
cepting the spirits of their husbands, both being widows. 

A Mother described herself, in detail, seated at the small 
center table, on which rested the family Bible, where she read 
it each night, under the lamp. All the home life, property, 
people who lived there, the wood-yard where cords of wood 
were piled up, and measured, WHERE THAT WAGON 
WITH THE RAILS WE HAD TO LIFT UP TO LET THE 
LOAD DOWN, was. “Yes,” said these women, “that was 
Texas-” 

The sister’s home in Florida was then described—one who 
is Eighty years old—(acknowledged) “the place WHERE THE 
PIONEYSUCKLE GROWS ON THAT TRELLIS FENCE.” 
“Yes, that is there, too,” said Mrs. E. These spirits went back 
Two generations for these women, sisters, all in spirit were 
brought, some names called, lives described in detail, spirits 
described in detail: all acknowledged, as fast as I could speak 




468 


MY Proof of Immortality 


for the “dead” whose first chance was today in all THEIR 
“life” time, to reach their own. 

For four hours, with little intermission, these sisters visited 
with the “dead” who are living and beside them, saying, “Who 
could ever say the dead are lost, after such an experience as ours 
here this afternoon.” Beside proof, absolute proof none could 
give BUT THE DEAD THEMSELVES, these spirits went 
into the homes of all the family living in bodies, described 
them, what had been said in them as they stood by and heard 
it said: all of which was acknowledged true, gratefully received, 
and satisfactory to both the living and the “dead.” In fact 
I worked very hard with these spirits, because THESE SIS¬ 
TERS CAME TO FIND IF IT COULD BE TRUE THAT 
THE DEAD ARE HERE AND CAN PROVE IT IF THEY 
ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO PROVE IT. They came 
to find their own, and found them all. They (the spirits) told 
how “JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL” was sung at MY 
FUNERAL. A spirit father said, “MY FAVORITE HYMN 
WAS “IN THE SWEET BY AND BY,” and “I WAS A 
GREAT METHODIST.” “WE USED TO HAVE AN OR¬ 
GAN IN THE PARLOR, AND THE HYMN BOOKS WERE 
ALWAYS OPEN ON IT.” “All true,—true as can be,” said 
theirs in bodies, here in my home, beside me, in a body, who 
can hear the dead speak, and see those things they wish' me to 
see, being able to describe anything from a pair of eyeglasses, 
to a gravestone, for the dead (so-called). 

The Mother in spirit said, “MY GRAVE, BACK THERE, 
NEEDS ATTENTION, THEY DID NOT LEVEL IT UP 
RIGHT. MY GRAVE WHERE THE MYRTLE IS PLANT¬ 
ED ON THE LOT.” 

“Yes, that is exactly true,—and the myrtle IS there,” said 
the sisters. 


EVIDENTIAL PROOF: May 5th, 1924, N. Y. C. 
Sawyer, Dorothy, Miss: 

Baumgardner , Alta, Miss: 


“A spirit Mother described her hands, and rings. Told how 
she used to comb this girl’s hair, the mode of dressing it while 




By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


469 


she was in a body,—described her summer silk dress, white with 
cross bars of black,—described what she had heard said recently 
in this Girl’s home, in Ohio, to prove she was there at the time, 
(acknowledged true,) (all the above) after which this Mother 
in spirit discussed each member of her family, the move, de¬ 
scribed the house from which they are to move, etc., etc. 

After which she gave this daughter advice regarding her 
life, her health, her ambition: sent messages to this one’s father 
in body, with proof that she is alive,—all told as a Mother would, 
and does. 

Baumgardner: 

“There is a spirit here she used to call “UNC”: I called 
her “ALT”: “I stacked up the poker chips, played golf, drove a 
car,—I SAW MY THOUSAND DOLLAR FUNERAL, and I 
want to reach your DAD.” “Did you EVER?” said this young 
woman to her friend, as she said, “Yes,—that is Uncle.” “I know 
everything going on there (in Ohio) and I want to prove it, and 
I want to help. Tell them so.” 

All the balance of this spirit’s messages were of a family na¬ 
ture, all pert, as was his way of speaking, as he went into private 
matters their own, which no one but intimate relations could 
possibly know, proving himself conversant with the affairs of 
her father’s business, and all that had, and was, transpiring. In 
fact, if this spirit had a body, and could speak to his relative 
instead of speaking to me, for me to repeat what he said to her, 
there was nothing a mortal COULD KNOW ABOUT THE 
FAMILY AFFAIRS OR BUSINESS MATTERS, OR 
HEALTH OF HIS RELATIONS IN BODIES, that was not 
spoken of rapidly by this man in spirit, who passed over less than 
two years ago. 


“Sir Reptitious (surreptitious) is calling” 
“On Allie Vou.” (allez-vous) 

“Tim Buktu.” 

“Jerry Flee and Jerry Fla!” 

“Mag Got.” 

“Mina Ret.” (W. S. in spirit.) 



470 


MY Proof of Immortality 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN 


Hotel Endicott, New York, Oct. 11th. 1920. 

For the Torch Press Inc. 

Since returning from California and accomplishing the proof 
of my work with commendation from Dr. B. F. Austin, Editor 
REASON, The Austin Publishing Co. and Dr. J. M. Peebles, 
M.D. A.M. Ph.D. DD. both of Los Angeles, where I gave thirty- 
one readings of proof evidential that the spirits spoke to me for 
each one describing themselves, their property, clothes, trinkets, 
homes, food, work, trivialities of life remembered by each sitter, 
I have not kept a further record of proof, but have given every 
day to some soul who was near me, whom I met in business, or 
in the park, or at the restaurant, as well as for those brought, or 
sent me, by my friends. 

I mention a few: 

The Bookkeeper at the Fidelity Warehouse, 109 W 96th. St. 
Miss Marguerite Henry. Whose young sister, about sixteen, 
passed out with the flu last year. This spirit implored me to 
speak for her one day while I spoke of trunks in storage. After 
proving herself, this time, and again, Miss Henry asked permis¬ 
sion to call. This she did last Sat. Evening, when this sister 
spoke to her from eight until 11.30 P.M. giving her the minutest 
detail of her funeral, how she (Marguerite) had put HER 
clothes on her, something from the waist down, said this spirit,— 
(true) told that she was buried in white embroidered dress she 
“had” ; carried in her hand her beads and prayer book, both white, 
that the casket and hearse were white, that she had put up her 
hair in papers, but they “curled it with an iron” when they laid 
out her body” (true) told her that her mother’s last words to¬ 
night were that she could not stay after a certain time here (true) 
and gave her the advice she should follow. Miss Henry is Cath¬ 
olic. She burst into tears, knowing no one but her sister could 
know all this, and wrote me next day a letter you will find in the 
Torch Press file. 

Jeanette Cleanen, War Dept. Finance: 

Miss Cleanen’s people have gone back three generations for 
her. But last night her mother gave her advice about property, 
etc. and then said: “Oh, I am here, you recall my one pivot 
tooth ? Had a dark, discolored tooth, had it taken off and a pivot 



By Shakespeare's SPIRIT 


471 


put on which was too white, and I was just as badly off for a 
natural tooth as before.” All true. Nettie, as I call her now, 
knew her Mother was here. 

The colored maids. All West Indians. Proved to them 

over and over. 

A woman who sat with me at dinner. Her mother in spirit 
said, "tell her to rub it with arnica, not get a doctor. Speak for 
us.” They showed me an old gentleman wearing a black frock 
coat, a panama hat with a black band, whiskers; and a lovely 
smile. Her father. Her mother said "I had so much trouble to 
keep in my upper plate it would fall down. My eyes were so 
bad I wore glasses with thick lenses. Hair parted in centre, 
waved on "pins,” her comb in the back. She has my tea pot, 
silver, I inherited from my Mother. And ask her if she recalls 
the cake Mother made to eat with tea: layers, whipped frosting 
with split raisins on it.” Recognized, all. Then told her of her 
trouble, how it would turn out: a reunion. I do not know where 
she went, or who she was. 

Another woman was told by her mother if she remained 
where she was in that "cellar without air” she would die as she 
had. All her past revealed, and relations names called. 

Over and over this happens, too often to record. As it did 
in California. Hundreds of messages are not recorded, some of 
my best work in fact, as the laborious effort of publication etc. 
was too much for me. 

Mrs. Howard: Four sittings: sent by H. V. Wildman. 
After spending hours with her father and mother, they proved 
everything about their lives in the body, then the Mother told how 
her wedding ring, worn thin, was lost, and it was found. True. 
Father told his favorite song was "Jesus Loves Even Me.” How 
he used to sing it on the porch, in his shirt sleeves.” True. 

Mrs. Girvin: Speaker of The Divine Church Of Inspira¬ 
tion: Hers all prove over and over they are here. Mother told 
of the “WELCOME” motto in the Dining Room worked in 
“shaded green worsted” True. Told how the tablecloth was 
draped up with rose buds on occasions (true), and all their 
clothes described; especially a dress "trimmed with jet” worn by 
Mrs. Girvin when a girl. All true, and recognized as true. 

Sunday evening, Oct. 3rd. 1920. 

Miss-: Bookkeeper of The Schilling Press Inc. 



472 


MY Proof of Immortality 


Her great grandparents, grandmother, Mother, and father, 
proved themselves here, with intelligence, memory, love, and 
affection, surviving; that they had known all that had transpired 
since their demise, also proved. All that was happening in her 
business (she is a member of the Firm) how she had been twice 
promoted, etc. This Mother told how she was with her when 
she bought that -feather boa, brown and white with a ribbon bow, 
for “Louise.” (correct) Told of a string of beads she had, an 
amethyst and a gold bead, short string. “She gave them to me," 
said this lady. They described everything, from the haircloth 
sofa “with the round ends,” to a small trinket-box on the dresser, 
(true) lacquer” said the voice. “Correct,” said she. They were 
all recognized, as all that came through, for four hours: The 
next morning they phoned a box of flowers was coming up for 
me. When I opened the box, a small envelope was there too: 
inside, a card read “From a Firm Believer,” for a Disciple of 
Jesus.” 

This will end my records kept. It is invariably true, the 
same with all. If you care to seek your dead they will prove 
they are with you, love you, know all that is going on, and has 
gone on, too. It is not to be discovered, but HAS been proved 
by hundreds of mediums, both in public and private life, that 
there are no dead. In today’s papers I see a little square “DEAD 
MEN TELL NO TALES.” That is true; for there are no dead 
men, or women, or children. Tell it to all. And know this, 
sacred Mothers are here, and little children; the false claim that 
only “evil” spirits can communicate is unworthy of any Christian. 

Popes may fight it, Priests may deny it, but not much longer: 
Paradise is here for the so called “dead”. Alas, all there is for 
most, is here. That they are lonely, very lonely, wish to be 
spoken to, wish to speak with you as before the change, is so true 
that it is terribly sad, and beyond me to understand that you mor¬ 
tals do not care if they are here or not, lonely, or not, sad or not, 
living or dead. 

I am weary. My work was for all time, and it had to be 
done. I worked against my will and wish, prayed to be spared 
such service, because I was taught it was serving two masters, by 
my pastor. But, being unable to stop, the voice I had to hear, 
and hear until this hour. 


Sarah T. Shatford. 


PART III 


BACK from the Dead 



Preface 


"BACK FROM THE DEAD” 

“ . • . if one came back from the dead they would not be¬ 
lieve him.” —(Bible) 

Preface by W. S. In Spirit 

A Record from beginning to end of the history of this case. 
Shakespeare’s Spirit. With credential, proof papers and MMS. 
as written by, and for, me, Shakespeare, in spirit form, but not 
bodiless, having a body, resembling mine own of flesh but thin¬ 
ner and boneless, muscleless, veinless, having no blood to let, 
but all the pangs of flesh preserved through substance as thin 
as glass, opaque as light, almost weightless, but A body none 
the less, having its appurtenances, carriage, cravings, abilities OF 
cone, brain matter, accomplishments OF minds, as well as all 
hindrances brought hither into His time eternal OF souls, crav¬ 
ings OF bodies lost to us, but ours still, as to shape, pattern. 

To find a nugget that ye WILL accept must I ruminate 
ON form. Then HAVE I MY mind still. This fine one has 
been requested to tell in print of her experience with ghosts. 
Can I eliminate my form of speech while I do transcribe FOR 
her, set down as she does for me each word OF mine, then shall 
mine own thumb mark BE erased here. Yet, if I write this 
history and BE found where I am, will yet traverse o’er my parts 
to find my match? 

A form WITH form OF speech, then, peruse ye, seeing 
my colors true, and as I often plod my piece WITH words of 
mine, ye’ll read me here, no doubt. 

This may the preface be. I know not. SHE attends to the 
gathering process FOR me. I CARE not. If it BE gathered 
FOR all time, this true history of my works PAST my demise. 
Then care ye IF I came at HIS behest, first? To do this FOR 
Him no other could or cared to, if it be so I know not, but 
results must say if any has attempted FROM our side of His 
division works equal in purpose, honesty, intent, AS mine, 
Shakespeare’s soul (sole) volumes on works of soul. Shall I 

475 


476 


BACK from the Dead 


tell ye WHAT I think hereon, surmise OF me, ’twould be to 
meet with further censure OF ye. For WHAT a soul MAY 
think yet care not, if words have dropped from his lips ye heeded 
not, not cared IF he COULD speak. 

MY part ye HAVE. This is another part FOR ye: read, 
read, read. And would ye sooner play at Plays of mine than 
take a drop of ointment for your eternal welfare, that, too, is 
left WITH ye, the choice to last FOR aye, too. Yours and 
yours only. 

First,—searched I everywhere doors opened FOR the dead, 
looking in every eye, alas in every heart, also, to FIND mine 
FOR me. What would I, then, you ask, for spirit play? Or 
work? The same as player must they meet with requirements 
certain, by rule, nor miss some things, else ALL would flounder 
at spirit’s least attempt. 

Once I began and halted was for lack of sense to accumu¬ 
late and work. My worker was but trite, a follower of the world 
of gaiety. Then sponsored I a fool who lost my cause. A 
knave as of old was I, fooled BY my wits at last. Said I, “If 
this CAN be, and time can summon FOR me a worker WITH 
heart AND soul, too, will I be blest at last as having given 
TO Him my part THROUGH His division IN a body. Calmed 
I my soul for further use in search. Praying WITH that part I 
use hereon, my spirit part, no useless search be made. 

Came I one night by a certain poor man’s house where souls 
stood waiting for a seance there. I loitered with the rest to 
see the sorts of minds open for this knowledge. Once more I 
claim I found the one God led me to for His intent. Without 
this one might I be searching yet? Mayhap. Souls witness 
FOR me here, ’TIS true BUT selfless ones IN bodies CARE 
IF spirits live. And these ARE rare. Then, rarer found open to 
serve FOR souls outside of bodies. Ye will TRY, say I, to 
work YOUR way in souldom, when ye’ll verify my speech re¬ 
garding workers FOR your kind, bodiless. Of presence, 
WITHOUT home OR kingdom. May you own a Companv 
PAST “death” as I. BEING a torch'FOR Him, AS I. A 
shade has glories, too, beware. 

Having thus recommended myself to you, will you listen 
to bare facts related of all searching required for your enlighten¬ 
ment from my demised part? 


BACK from the Dead 


4 77 


To set the type for this I stand at her right side. Ever 
have I written thus. No osophy, however scientific or brazen 
can surmise our deflation. UpBUILD for us a part we MUST 
play, either. No body has MY soul invaded, then since “death” 
of mine own body. Nor would I if I could trespass on a soul’s 
inheritance. My wreath defends me, here. My castle was in¬ 
vaded oft. But not OF souls. By mine own wish was God’s 
part set aside that godless thoughts might rule His kingdom 
of the mind. Then mind prevails IN spirit. Thoughts dive and 
swim, as WELL as soar. Be sure. OUTside her castle OF 
flesh, INside her mind, I worked my miracle for Him I do 
declare. Must I, His soul, answer FOR my part still? Ay, 
on and on, and oft as lies are rampant must His truth prevail, 
and all be met, as meted, too. 

Wireless perform we IN spirit, but that pole of receptivity 
must be poised or our waves carry not. Sometimes WE fail 
TO carry, slide, roll. When, if we strive at all the stops and 
find no answer forthcoming we pinch AND prick till answer 
come. Could you surmise our policies ’twould give me groans 
of pleasure to inform you HOW we labor to perfect the ear 
alone to take a single word from our voice AFTER the change 
OF voices. Tunes we play then at HARD labors AFTER 
confinement sore, painstaking past a mortal’s attempt I wit¬ 
ness FOR souls who have preformed some minor strain through 
bodies effort, then. 

To bear me out, make witness of my part. Four tomes, 
two thick, two thin. But none so thin of purpose it is watered 
stock. No venture made we. Trials uncertain. Should this door 
close beFORE my work finished, that purposed me to effort FOR 
souls in cases. At strife WITH souls OVER my part, and success, 
our Company as well, this fight assemblied an army of souls 
FOR me. Some inherit sense, some learn in future states. 
Added To my wits have I IN spirit. Useless all except it be for 
Him. I warn ye not to make a Play of God’s eternal time, or 
chance, come from Him, for me. A soul's work in volumes, 
then, witness the miracle from SPIRITside, if ye cannot now 
bear witness FOR Him through my task. 

’Tis told and written IN my works through her, how MANY 
years I served BEFORE mine own effort was begun. Then 
HAD I an instrument when I began MY work, in tune, as to 


478 


BACK from the Dead 


key, and fine. No halting line, no changed words you’ll find in 
all my works through her, search these o’er for them. If I 
am he who wrote my sonnets AND my plays HAVE I my 
nature still, and marked it here FOR you who doubt God COULD 
save Shakespeare FOR His work, at last. Mine liniment use 
ye. Measure, take. Prescribe, AND hold as FROM my soul. 
When centuries’ swift marks have run along these lines I write 
this day, will I BE living still hereon. A pill for ye who lift 
a snout and sniff at glory AFTER “death.” A potion for the 
Clergy have I left, poisonless, alleviating, if these but heed AND 
shake my mixture well before they spill. My last trump played 
I for them. It was my plan to save them AGAINST their will. 

Into the wings I step, to prompt her: if I dare to snatch 
her honors in copying true, mine head would fall, and quickly 
too. Her scraps will make a meal of victuals. Starvlings will 
feast thereon. My words are first and last. Her copies make 
the fulness of this book. 

Shakespeare’s Spirit 
(To S. T. S.) 

Original copy, taken at this machine, Feb. 16th, 1922. N. Y. C. 



SARAH TAYLOR SHATFORD 























































» 
























• i 













































































BACK from the Dead 479 

SCIENTIFIC PROOF FOR THE “DEAD” (SO-CALLED) 
By Sarah T. Shatford 

This scientific proof FOR spirits, compiled by the so-called 
“dead,” I submit FOR them to the living world. It represents 
selections from seven years of contact WITH spirits for mortals 
FROM their world of spirit, (the same world, in fact) through 
my listening post. If this indues MORE than the hearing 
process, which it does, I will tell, as I can, OF the process here, 
its application, while the results of spirits labors speak here for 
themselves. Proof undeniable, recognized, admitted of, publicly, 
as well as in private. 

Then, this record established here is for all time to rep¬ 
resent not alone A SPIRIT’S time, labor, super-contact, (as 
this spirit claims) not subconscious, but .y«/>m:onscious, but it 
shall, does, represent FOR those despised “lines” called medi¬ 
ums, the ONLY connections until now, between the seen and 
unseen living bodies, (living, and dead, so-called) by which 
those called dead do speak to those called living, prove 
they are alive, keen, loving, all surviving, in fact, WITH 
their proof, which has been unacceptable to scientific 
bodies because salaries would cease for searchers scien¬ 
tific WITH avowed discovery or facts , proved beyond cavil 
of any body, religious or scientific, that the dead ARE 
here, able, cognizant, proving with evidential proof, that which 
only a spirit could give, that they are themselves, surviving 
with memory, personality, as well as love. 

To drop this line or argument against the scientific bodies, 
men who have no religion, Godless men for the most part, 
who would set aside God’s Own parts and divisions for their 
own sub-stratas, sub-consciousness, to impart mysteries HE, God 
Himself, sent Jesus to prove, FOR them, Whose History, sa¬ 
credness, they ignore, being atheistic, is to pity them who USE 
His ghost for their salaries, books, file the results of spirits 
proof in archives, and continue to plead for “endowments” 
for the cause of investigation. 

It is to enlighten the world of mortals awaiting THEIR 
“discoveries,” to make plain no scientist of spiritual data, proof, no 


480 


BACK from the Dead 


experimentor WITH God’s parts, spirits, can hide the truth for 
which Jesus was sent, and for which He died, TO prove: that 
the dead live eternally: have proved, and do prove, themselves 
alive; and more, we fling from a much larger store of evidential 
proof, scientific proof proved BY spirits themselves, these gath¬ 
ered leaves, a flora of dissimilarity, exotics and garden varieties, 
that those desirous of combining their own garland, may do so, 
gratis, these flowers of proof coming from the dead who are 
living here, including children, priests, ministers, Mothers, the 
pure and impure, good, as well as “evil.” 

If God’s plans, worked out by Wisdom, proved by Him 
FOR you, do not suit your intelligence, I could scarcely expect 
to reach YOU with this seven years of proof that the dead live 
eternally, ARE spirits, speak, see, hear, YOU, and ARE present. 

Why had I to be taken, literally, to make up this proof, 
for you. God knows. Set aside, AFTER rebellion against the 
companionship of a spirit claiming to be Shakespeare’s spirit, 
AFTER masses were said to banish this ghost, by both priests 
and good Catholic friends, as well as praying Minister, all who 
were unfavorable to spirits, or the service of spirits, or their 
cause, here represented (both Catholic and Protestant prayers 
were unavailable in my case) this spirit claiming he came to 
work a miracle FOR God, I WAS MADE TO serve, write, 
copy, speak, prove: and I refer all to the records kept of this 
case, that such is true. Then there are spirits who can, and will, 
speak to others, as this one has to me. Surely. Against the 
advice of clergy, unbelievers in spirits, sane, hearing or seeing 
the dead, I know great numbers in private life, who have had 
the door of the “beyond” opened for them, Mothers of fine 
families, ladies of wealth who “could bear it now,” and little 
children who play with spirit children. The “dead” MUST 
live on here, unnoticed as unacknowledged, through their trage¬ 
dies of loss? Yes, and YOUR dead, too. The two worlds are 
one. Before you raise voice or finger against God OR His plans, 
His spirits, plans for souls, read how true it is that YOUR 
objections, revilements, do not hinder His plans, but do rob you, 
each one, of communion with yours, past A veil. A veil only. 


BACK from the Dead 


481 


While scientists receive endowments, draw life salaries, 
dickering with the lines, piling in their archives the best en¬ 
deavors of spirits, their proof of survival with memory and 
personality, the hungry-hearted are given a poisoned crust by 
these men, who tell them all mediums are “fakirs” but Two 
percent, all but this average are “tricky” and to be despised. 

As one who has been independent of all, being comman¬ 
deered by a spirit for the purpose, accepting no fee ever, 
having given all I had of money, time, strength, remaining in¬ 
dependent until now, I speak here to the scientists who defile 
the instruments they use, the only instruments through which 
they can work, as I claim these are the only living men in bodies 
to defile their tools. The astronomer relies on his lense, values 
it: the engineer his engine, the Captain his ship, the violinist 
his instrument; but the men who defy the Maker regard nothing 
as sacred to Him or themselves except their own “cold scien¬ 
tific facts from their same cold, cruel, Godless minds.” One of 
the Two-percents, then, is speaking here. One who can speak 
for the mediums thus reviled who cannot speak for themselves. 

Sir Oliver Lodge, in one of his lectures in Carnegie Hall, 
said: “I have never known a dishonest medium: I believe they 
all do the best they can.” Here was a great man who could 
afford to be great. While Hyslop wrote in a New York editorial 
that all but two percent were tricky and false and fakirs. How 
he could not afford to be generous, being small, we know. How 
his brain refused to function, stopped when he tried to form a 
sentence, at last, though he knew what he desired to say, this 
man who explained everything invisible and then said, it will 
be hundreds of years before survival is “scientifically proved,” 
as he made an appeal in Rev. Percy Stickney Grant’s pulpit for an 
endowment for Psychical Research. Hyslop told me, “if I told 
everything I know they would call me crazy, and put me in the 
asylum.” And he therefore filed in the archives the proof this 
spirit brought through for him, and, at his request, for Miss Lilian 
Whiting, of Boston, from her friend Kate Field in spirit, and 
all the Twenty-four people I saw for the Society for Psychical 
Research, giving my time free, for this cause, proof, that the 


482 


BACK from the Dead 


dead are living here beside us, and can speak, and prove it for 
themselves, when given the opportunity to do so. 

The odium placed on the word Medium by clergy and sci¬ 
entist, must include the saints who heard the dead, as well as 
all in Bible History. While the word Spiritualist is derogatory 
to all who believe in Jesus Christ, or His inspired Word, is 
falsely used by this sect who have no right to use the things 
of Spirit if they are avowed unbelievers. These things cannot 
alter His truths. Have never altered anything God has made, 
revealed, or holds in the hollow of His hand. 

Then I accept that name with no subterfuge, being but 
ONE who speaks with the living dead, proves scientifically there 
ARE NO DEAD. The sect of Spiritualists are enigmas work¬ 
ing WITH God’s souls, decrying His Son and His Record, 
Divine History, The Word of God, The Bible. Yet saints and 
sinners I have found in every group, BREATHING men and 
women, OF the Church, as well as out of it. Astonishing is 
the revealment. 

These poor words of mine shall not be added unto, or 
obliterated, but shall stand as mine, no mind shall substitute 
for mine to better these, alter them, but all shall be recorded 
as I write it down. After seven years’ service as a listening 
post, compiler, proof-reader, amanuensis, typist, Incorporator, 
psychic, I care to submit facts only, plain, so he may read who 
runs. Cold, scientific facts. Proof. From the dead: from 
souls: spirits: Living. Living on earth. At YOUR hearth, AS 
mine. 

Your approbation, or j^our censure, cannot add or sub¬ 
tract from the truth herein, nor from my experience, including 
companionship daily OF souls, of my own Mother, and Father, 
and Sister (Belle), who accompany me, laugh with me, advise 
me, prove every time they speak to me they are themselves, in¬ 
dividually, speaking, recalling every occurrence of our child¬ 
hood, our lives together, the ditties Mother sang to us as chil¬ 
dren,—comforts of God, wonder of His, which, when it is AC¬ 
CEPTABLE to His children, must be for each and all. 

Sarah Taylor Shatford. 


BACK from the Dead 


483 


THE TRUTH OF ALL WRITINGS SIGNED “W. S. IN 
SPIRIT,” AND “SHAKESPEARE’S SPIRIT” 


All these various papers have been signed by the initials 
called, or the very names called at the close of the articles 
written. The confession of this spirit for the priest who said the 
mass for his soul is not included. This is eight pages, and 
is refused me, the priest claiming it belongs to him. Which 
is true. That is the first paper ever written by Shakespeare’s 
spirit. ^ While this paper was being written, in one evening, 
the voice often stopped, I heard the spirit suffer, and he said, 
“Read from Isaiah: read from Job: read from John.” When 
the voice would continue the sad, wonderful, powerful plea, 
for the priest. 

Each paper I sign as they were signed for the purpose 
of proof, each bearing its own mark, as intoned by the voice 
of silence. They were all included, though I was im¬ 
portuned to include which would be against the cause of 
spiritualism, and to print only the Shakespearean ones. For this 
was written for all students, and all who will care, for future 
time. I was only the wire and typist, and I must be the pub¬ 
lisher that they shall be recorded as they came, each word the 
same. What right had I to take from these papers. If those 
who suggested it could know the spirit’s feelings on all subjects 
relating to his words, they would know one spirit wrote, ex¬ 
cept where others signed. Death changes nothing of tempera¬ 
ment, be sure. And I can believe he trained hundreds for the 
stage, as one medium told me who had never seen me, and was 
giving a public message, and description of Shakespeare’s spirit 
who was there. “Come, Sarah, and string: I am afraid you 
will be short.” Could any prima donna need more stringing 
than a spirit’s tool, I feel for them. 

Finally, if one has come back from the dead, to save you, 
or to save himself, which is apparent in his feelings, as well as 
all he says, take him at his word; and, since no pulpit-man could 
send him off, as Jesus would have, had He been here, (and I 
prayed so fervently that he should go, I was frightened so 
that I went to the minister’s home, and his dear wife slept by 



484 


BACK from the Dead 


my side, and he proved he was there), take the miracle he has 
performed through my time, and service, as from one come to 
save you all he experienced after “death,” and by his words, 
and proof, use your time as God’s time, benefiting by, and believ¬ 
ing, the one who “came back from the dead” for you. 


HISTORY OF THIS CASE 


These papers compiled during the seven years when I heard 
and took to a spirit’s dictation the Four books published by The 
Torch Press., Inc., of New York, are only the most important 
ones, many of interest having to be omitted from this proof 
record of survival after death of the body, of spirits, having 
all human attributes, being able to prove they have. 

It is one medium’s effort then, who had no help of any 
kind, who has never been paid for any message, or work, either 
in money or its equivalent. And it is this medium’s claim, 
hereon, and herewith proved, that Shakespeare’s Spirit has 
proved immortality to the world for all time. 

First proving to the Psychical Research Society of New 
York this was a spirit writing, then going to Boston, and, with 
Dr. Hyslop having it proved by the Scientific medium, Mrs. Che- 
noweth (Mrs. Minnie Soule) that “S—w, was writing, and they 
should be given to the world.” Thereafter going to California and 
having this proved there by clairvoyants (3), while three of New 
York’s best clairvoyants have seen Shakespeare’s spirit, described 
him, gave his message, who did not know I was writing these 
books, or anything of my experience. Names to be found in rec¬ 
ord. While two clairvoyants of New Orleans have seen Shake¬ 
speare’s spirit, described him as wearing the same feathered cap. 
These are women in private life, fine mothers, who know the 
truth through their own experiences. 

With the proof published here, can any doubt that the 
dead are here with us who are derided as “ghosts” and “spooks,” 
who are placed in graves to await a final judgment, or, taught 




BACK from the Dead 485 

by religionists, as in some far-off place, where they must not 
be disturbed? 

“Let them be ignorant still-” if this record of trials, and 

voices, and proof given by spirit voices to their own dear ones 
does not prove survival, and presence, in the same world. Little 
children are included in this proof, priests, and Mothers, young 
and virtuous women; and the claim of religionists that only 
“evil” spirits inhabit the earth, or can speak to mortals, is a 
canard, which most of these know when they teach it, but being 
unable themselves to hear spirit voices, or prove spirit presence, 
or exorcise spirits, they must say something, and they hide the 
truth, many of them, I know, do so. 

This is all true. No part is exaggerated. The truth is 
enough. Also, it is enough to bear “now.” For it is too terri¬ 
bly true that the dead are with us, are homeless but for us, 
occupy the same world, and need us more than wd need them. 

Then you do not need to take this with a grain of salt. 
It is set down invariably as it came from spirit. And was ac¬ 
knowledged true by those for whom it came. You cannot fail 
to think for yourselves, and welcome your dear ones by speak¬ 
ing to them in the home at the fireside, after you read this book 
of scientific, evidential proof that they live, and are there. 

My own in spirit, Mother, Father and Sister, speak to me 
every day, and prove in a different way each time that it is 
my own. Have done so since the first book was completed, when I 
was allowed to hear my sister at Boston, when alone, and hav¬ 
ing received not anything, having come so far to receive MY 
proof from the “scientific” instrument, meeting with disappoint¬ 
ment, my own sister spoke to me in my room at the Brunswick 
Hotel, calling the name of a neighbor in the little town where we 
were children, first, then calling others that I might be 
sure that no Shakespeare knew these names. After that, 
Father spoke, calling the names of stations on the L. S. 
& M. S. Ry. beginning with State Line, where we were born, 
and he was born. No Shakespeare knew this. From that day 
to this, I have been accompanied and blessed by the nearest 
communion, and reference to all which concerned us as a fam¬ 
ily, or interested us individually, at home. 



486 


BACK from the Dead 


THE MEDIUMS WHO HAVE SEEN SHAKESPEARE’S 

SPIRIT 


I, Sarah Shatford, have seen Shakespeare’s spirit twice (1923, 
1924). 

Mrs. Daisy Govan and Mrs. Corine Tebault Parker (both in 
private life), New Orleans, La. 

Mrs. Dr. H. V. Wildman, Sr., Mrs. Emma Girvin, Mr. 
John Hill, Mrs. Jennie McClatchy, Mr. Frank Montska, Mrs. 
J. C. Dorn, New York City. 

Mrs. Carrie May and Two (one an Englishman) men clair¬ 
voyants, at her home, Los Angeles, Mrs. Grace Nicholson, Mrs. 
Deane, Los Angeles. Miss Jennie Churchill, Santa Barbara. 

Over and over these clairvoyants have described and spoken 
to this spirit. 

To Mrs. May, with Dr. Peebles present, and others, Shake¬ 
speare’s Spirit told, in 1921, at Mrs. May’s home, on Hope St., 
Los Angeles, Calif., there were papers in Stratford, on Avon, 
back of a panel, a door of wood, that would prove him which 
had never been found, in his own hand. Over and over this 
place was described, and this spirit urged that they be sought, 
these papers in this own hand. These papers have been found, in 
this year, 1922, at Stratford on Avon, in an old cupboard, and 
are in Shakespeare’s own writing. A celebrated English medium 
was present when Mrs. May took this message from Shake¬ 
speare’s spirit, on my first visit to the Coast. I make a record 
of it here, as a prophecy true and worthy for this medium as 
well as this spirit himself, and his knowledge after “death” so- 
called. 

When I was writing these books for this spirit I used to go 
to Dr. Hill’s meetings just to hear the spirit of Shakespeare 
described by Dr. Hill. Keeping to .myself who it was, what he 
was doing through my ears and labors, it was the greatest 
surprise to this medium when I presented him with a copy 
of Shakespeare’s Revelations, By Shakespeare’s Spirit, and said, 



BACK from the Dead 


487 


“This is the spirit you have seen so many times at my right side, 
wearing doublet, cape, cap with feather, pointed beard, who 
was born across the sea, employed hundreds of people there,—” 
etc. Dr. John Hill is an Englishman, but the spirit had kept 
his identity until we revealed it with the gift. 

After the book was published I went to California, where 
I offered myself in the light of science and truth to Dr. Peebles 
and Dr. Austin, the greatest men connected with this truth at 
this time, that they might prove through any way they could if 
this were or were not Shakespeare’s spirit. The result is pub¬ 
lished in this book. 

Crossing the second time, I went to Santa Barbara, where 
those who cared to know were given proof of spirit return, and 
where Miss Jennie Churchill, one of the best, and eldest of 
American mediums lives, saw and spoke with Shakespeare’s 
spirit several times during my sojourn. 

Every medium mentioned in connection with this work is 
above reproach, as all know who are interested in this truth. 
One is in private life, like myself, that is Mrs. Wildman 
who has been clairvoyant since a child, when she was punished 
for claiming to see her Mother, recently deceased, which she 
was able to prove later, by giving the family messages, explain¬ 
ing difficulties, as told by this spirit Mother. Since when Mrs. 
Wildman has seen clairvoyantly, sees the spirits back of the 
Minister on Sunday, as well as gave me the first description of 
my Mother in spirit, whom she had never seen. Describing 
Mother as she looked when she and Father married. 

The bunch of violets Mrs. Wildman brought to me Feb. 
4th, on Mother’s birthday, did not fade or lose their fragrance, 
during six weeks, when she brought many people to see them. 
I packed them away when I moved on April 23rd as fresh as 
when she brought them except for one leaf, where my hand 
had touched them when the water was changed in the glass. 
I record this as a miracle. All know the evanescent violet. 
They were on my writing table. 

New York City, April 21st, 1922. 


488 


BACK from the Dead 

MEDIUM SHIP 


I stood beside a grave today: 

A little grave, upon a hill. 

The birds were peeping, building nests, 

The buds responsive to Spring’s will. 

That little life, so wee, so frail, 

Knew all I longed TO know: 

Why had IT to be taken, so. 

When I had yearned to go! 

I stood beside the waterfall: 

It rushed away to join some lake. 

The waters where it mingled, there, 

Knew naught of hearts that break! 

A grave upon a hillside, 

All quiet in the sun: 

A sparkling, ever-rushing stream, 

Still flowed, though life was done. 

I thought of Nature’s wondrous plan 
Which gives to trite things such a span, 

And takes from us a little child 
All pure, all sparkling, unbeguiled: 

And while I pondered on God’s way, 

I heard a voice: I heard it say: 

“My life, miewed, I stand unseen, 

Where are the pure, the just, the clean: 

If I could live forever, so, 

Know ’tis His plan, before you go 
To join all living hut unseen; 

Partaking of Himself, I ween.” 

That little grave upon that hill, 

The streamlet, outlet for the rill. 

Had spoken with new voice to me: 

At last plain truths had made me see 

If God is, NONE, and NAUGHT, can “die”: 

The “dead” had made me this reply! 

—Sarah Shatford, 

April 21, 1922 (No voice: thought by S. T. S.) 



BACK from the Dead 


489 


MED IU MS HIP 

So many hearts are breaking everywhere, 

While heavy eyelids weep and souls despair. 

The city’s heart beats on, Her jewels shine, 

And no one knows of those mute woes of yours, or mine. 
Until some destiny brings, face to face, 

The wretched poverties, in all the human race. 

Each man beats out his molten steel within: 

That part God hides. That hides no scar, no sin. 

And measuring every breath, His time grows less 
Through artifice, and sham, and failure’s wretchedness. 
His beaten self he IS, at last, un- done: 

While looking on himself, that lasting one, 

He know he failed through poverties umv ise: 

He MIGHT have made him fit for Honor’s eyes. 

There’s not one breathes but holds within that part 
Of God’s, his spirit, what he hides with his own heart. 
Thus ALL men lack, and, of that lacking part 
He still reserves His tithe, Himself, His Heart. 

As He knew all, we see within the clay 
Those anvils burn, which melt man’s steel away. 
Forged by himself, is each man’s soul, at last, 

When he is here , nor gone; nor is he one who “passed.” 
* 

(Spirit voice to S. T. S.) 


“Courage is the rod which divines for souls the wells where 
we may dip.’’—W. S. 

(Spirit voice) - 

ME DIUMS HIP 

If you were given chance to see all hearts, 

To know if any breath men draw ever were true, 

Could you grieve not to “die,” and end it all: 

Your love would tested be, where charity could grow. 
“Greatest of these,” He knew, and He knew All: 

All lacking, then, He saw, in human form: 

When all is known we feel, and hear, and see, 

There’s need for uses of His charity. 






490 


BACK from the Dead 

MEDIUMSHIP 


That One Who knew all things, divined men’s hearts: 

HE was the Man of Sorrows, then; ’tis true. 

While humans think themselves impervious to thought (Mind), 
He may not come to rule His kingdom, new. 

The soul stands out from its own clay to those 
Who read the souls, and feel them, too: 

Would that all knew there’s nothing CAN be hid: 

’Twould make, then, better men of each of you. 

Soulship, means inner sight: no thing unhidden: 

Seership, unveils the shrine, where we are hidden. 

W. S. in Spirit. 


CLAIRAUDIENCE 


“God has recorded among His unalterable decrees that NO 
lie shall live forever!”—(Judge Black). 

A specialist may speak with authority. If they claim to have 
discovered anything and can prove that discovery, they cannot 
be doubted. Facts, are facts. 

Seven years in solitude and silence WITH the so-called dead, 
spirits, speaking to me, give the privilege, which I use, for your 
enlightenment, who scoff at spirit-powers, voices, proof of survival 
AFTER death, of intelligence, memory, love and the ability of 
the dead, that is, spirits, souls, to prove to those they can, or do, 
contact, all that is proved herein, and much that my own ex¬ 
perience with spirits does not include. For while the spirits can 
show me (psychic sight) a picture of your father, or grand¬ 
father, or friend, in spirit, I am not clairvoyant (1922). 
(Clairvoyance developed in 1923, in my experience.) I have 
never seen with my eyes a spirit. But I have seen on this film 
of the brain, or back of the eye (for I do not know which) thou¬ 
sands of persons, or anything, any object, the spirits wish me to 
see. Many of my own friends, some in private life, who are 
mediumistic, see the dead (spirits), clairvoyantly, have seen them 
since childhood. Few of these both see and hear. Mrs. Emma 
Girvin sees and hears. Mrs. Dr. H. V. Wildman sees, but does 
not hear. Most aged people are in touch with spirits; some speak 






BACK from the Dead 


491 


as we speak to the living, have never consulted a medium in their 
lives. I met one, from Toledo, Ohio, who did this. Others say, 
“I know: have known for years: I get my own: they are as 
near to me as though they were in the body.” All who have 
suffered, sorrowed, until the strain became agon}^, are, if reliant 
on Spirit, mediumistic. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will 
come to you” (Jesus). The nearer you are to Spirit, the farther 
you are from material things, less important these become, more 
value is placed on eternal verities. When these are discovered, 
brought to one, realized, found ( for I do not know by what other 
routes they may be obtained) sought ,—every mortal then knows 
what was meant by: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh: 
but that which is born of the spirit is spirit ” 

Clairaudience, then, is not a gift, but a development. Every 
brain IS a cinematograph. The unseen has the power to im¬ 
press, record, on this film, even a picture of a germ, infinitismally 
small, vicious, and expressive. This, then, is a part of clairaudi¬ 
ence. And these pictures are run off on this reel so rapidly, with 
development, that hearing is not needed to tell a life-story: the 
hearing process is saved, used for more important things of the 
spirit, and; the uses of this film are more various than a mere 
picture wheel. Developed from a handful of rubies in the rough 
(the first picture to be thrown on my own brain film) to the 
absent, or present, people, both' in, and out, of bodies, all their 
belongings, clothes, homes, graves, trinkets, everything that mem¬ 
ory could store, in fact. With this process of pictures, brain- 
pictures, I believe, a spirit speaking a foreign tongue can trans¬ 
late to his own in body through a medium clairaudient any 
message they care to give, keeping inviolate that message, be¬ 
tween them concerned, all perfectly understood, and acknowl¬ 
edged gratefully. This speaks for the poise of brain, mind, body, 
of a good medium, whose instrument is tuned up by spirit very 
much as a prima donna is practiced, the notes, varying, the dis¬ 
tance of the spirit’s voice, until an echo is heard from on high. 
That is why Sir Oliver Lodge could say: “A good medium, is 
rare, and very valuable.” Few can sink materiality into oblivion. 
Fewer remain selfless through years, holding the wire (wireless) 
for the unseen who are present, and, heard. 

Mediumship, then, is development. While all mortals are 
mediumistic, attended by the unseen, aided, used, hindered, as they 


492 


BACK from the Dead 


attract these, through their desires, minds, ideals, thoughts. “As 
a man thinketh in his heart so is he (“become”) says this voice 
to me. Verily, in spirit, after death, man IS what he made him¬ 
self. 

Beside this film, or cinematograph of the mind, or brain, or 
back of the eye, (for I do not know which, and am only trying 
to help you understand), there are more subtle influences which 
combine to make the “knowing” of a rare medium. “Jesus knew 
all things.” He was shown. He lived in both worlds, having all 
development of sight and hearing; no doubt. And all that is 
neither, comprising other elements of the development of a 
sixth sense. Facts are presented without words or pictures. 
For instance, I can say, before I am shown any pic¬ 
ture, or hear any voice, “There is a child here, a little girl.” 
or, “There is an old gentleman here.” How can you say this 
if you do not see spirits, I have been asked. It is invariably true 
that these prove themselves after I have realized their presence, 
as spirits. How is this done, you ask? I wish to explain, as 
I can, this “feeling” a spirit-presence, calling the sex, without 
clairvoyance, or any psychic picture. “Projection,” a spirit voice 
says right now. Maybe you can understand this. I intended 
to say, and I am writing this paper, and this book, (thank you 
all the same, spirit) that, being a sensitive, means more than 
being a mere wire for spirit conversation. With this same 
process the truth is discerned. No one can tell an untruth to a 
good medium, and “get by” with it. They know: feel: see: hear: 
are touched by spirit hands, often. Then I can say that I know 
when there is a spirit of a child present, although I have not seen 
this child, or been given its description, by as subtle an influence as 
fragrance. When one enters a room where there are flowers, at 
once, you, whoever reads this, recognize violets as their own 
fragrance, while, if I entered where were roses I should know 
also that roses were there. It is not by sense of smell, but it 
is a pervading of space by some power as subtle as fragrance, 
and, as true, discernible, unmistakable, reliable. 

As this spirit with me has said in one of his books, “Medi- 
umship is not a sudden burst of powers, but an opening of closed 
doors.” Often I have asked, “Why is the voice so far off, I 
cannot hear so well today.” When the answer came: “We are 
opening a door higher up.” And it was always opened, until I 


BACK from the Dead 


493 


could say there is a voice WITHIN a voice WITHIN a voice 
WITHIN a voice. At last is silence, a voice itself? This spirit 
says: “Silence is the voice of God.” Then Spirit is so inex¬ 
pressibly fine that spirits themselves cannot comprehend Him, 
hear Him, see Him, as yet. But all, all ever who spoke to me, or 
through me to others, from spirit, KNOW HE IS, and that HE 
IS GOD. They know. “Jesus knew all things.” 

Then comprehension plays its part. A general summing up 
of all powers and all intelligence, endurance, silencing of self, 
receiving, and being willing to receive, is to be “spiritually- 
minded.” “Seek and ye shall find,” being literally true. And 
finding this spiritual power does not always mean that you will 
possess it for all your mortal time. These doors may be closed 
again, if the unseen so will it, or, if proper estimate, and use, is 
not made of these powers of mediumship,—and for this reason 
alone the charge of trickery is often made: spiritual power 
wanes for lack of proper use , is affected by mortal’s materiality, 
living (but not eating) (“They set meat before Him and He did 
eat”) (“And gave thanks”). Spirituality is a thing of the mind, 
not of the stomach. 

Spirit essence: what is it? Well, what is it that attracts 
You to a person; and why do you instinctively dislike some 
people you only see, and do not know, while others appeal to 
you, throw out invisible,—name it whatever you like—, the 
character, thoughts, appeal-forming invisible atmosphere of soul 
and mind and graces,—making ugliness beauty, and the reverse. 
As I cannot describe the elements, but know of them, I cannot 
tell more of juices and currents and “compounds” used, as spirits 
tell me, belonging to, summing up, individualities. 

To live with the unseen and walk with mortals, is it pos¬ 
sible. Certainly. These ARE mortals: prove it to you, if you 
care whether they are there beside you, of your abode still. 

“It is a broken law to molest mortals except for a divine 
purpose,” this spirit tells me. “Trance mediumship is a broken 
law, unless with the full permission of the medium.” (“A house 
divided against itself will fall.”—Bible.) 

But all can sit in silence, welcoming, in the light, their own 
in spirit, and eventually be rewarded by proof of their presence 
there with them, and, by continual thought for things of Spirit, 
have the truth of spirits revealed by themselves, each to his, 


494 


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or her, own, where they still abide, live, dwell with them, in spirit 
body, having all that made them as individuals, plus God’s wis¬ 
dom revealed to them through that change which changes nothing 
but conditions. 

In my own case the sequence to clairaudience was: Sorrow: 
Solitude: Silence: Aspiration: Inspiration: Clairaudience. 

Sarah Taylor Shatford. 


THE AUSTIN PUBLISHING CO. 

Occult Books A Specialty 
801 So. Union—Phone: Wilshire 6962 
Los Angeles, Calif. 

To whom it may concern: 

Mrs. Sarah Shatford, of New York City, the amanuensis 
through whom came Shakespeare’s “Revelations” and For Jesus’ 
Sake,” has twice visited Los Angeles and rendered such efficient 
aid by her private and unselfish mediumship, that we feel impelled 
to call attention to her gifts and devotion to the cause of truth. 

Over fifty people who met her privately can bear testimony 
to the remarkable clearness, minuteness and evidential value of 
her description of departed friends and the convincing character 
of her messages. These people for the most part met her inci¬ 
dentally in the hotel parlors, on the cars or train, in the cafe¬ 
teria or in the social circle—most of them complete strangers to 
the phenomena , and philosophy of Spiritualism—and through 
her were led into unshaken belief in spirit return. She has never 
made any charge for her services, ever shown a most self-sacri¬ 
ficing disposition and readiness to help strangers as well as 
friends into the light and comfort of spirit communion; and now 
in leaving Los Angeles she leaves scores of grateful friends who 
will bless her for her wonderful ministry with the unseen. 

Mrs. Shatford has never done any public platform work, but 
certainly ranks among the best and most successful mediums in 
her private messages. 

Sincerely, 

J. M. PEEBLES, M.D., D.D., Ph.D, M.A. 

B. F. AUSTIN, D.D., 

Editor of “REASON.” 

Los Angeles, Calif., May 19, 1921. 



BACK from the Dead 


495 


THE PART RELIGION TOOK IN THIS CASE OF 
SPIRIT RETURN 


“Using a ouija board, getting true help thereby,” “W. S.” 
was said to be giving this. One day, with this friend (Mrs. Wild- 
man) a voice said: “Rise and speak the message.” When all her 
relatives in spirit gave her messages. 

First, This spirit spoke to me alone in the evening about 
Eight. I was alone. A voice said: “Get your stick and make me 
a poem. I must write a confession to the Priest.” The voice 
then told me that he was Shakespeare. That he desired a mass 
said for his soul, and the soul of his friend. The name of this 
friend he gave for the Priest alone. This confession comprised 
Eight pages of MMS. Was in Shakespeare’s own style, verse, 
and was dictated as it was written down without changes, as all 
of this spirit’s works have been. The spirit halted at times, say¬ 
ing, “Read from Job.” “Read from Isaiah.” “Read from 
John.” When, fortified to continue the pain of his remorse, he 
began dictation again. It required some hours to complete this 
paper. That this spirit suffered while writing this confession, I 
will tell you that I wept with him. During this time he did not 
speak of other matters. When finished, he told me of this friend, 
his beauty of character, generosity to him which enabled him to 
keep his family, brought him his honors, as well as his knight- 
ship. He spoke of those first sad, lean years in London. He finally 
told me to take this paper to a Priest and have a mass said for 
their souls. He told me he had never met this friend since he 
“came from the dark” the dreadful place where he had spent 
long centuries of time, until he rebelled and would not remain 
longer. 

The voice was as plain, without a sound, as any voice having 
sound. I had lived in solitude for four years, was accustomed 
to silence, and any sound in my rooms was not more noticable 
than this voice. Such is a spirit’s power to speak. 

Having a great friend near my hotel who was an ardent 
Catholic, I went to him the next morning, telling him what had 
happened. This great man, one of America’s immortals, sur¬ 
prised me, as well as comforted me, when he said he knew all 



496 


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about spirits. These had touched him, placed their cold hands 
upon him, and he said—- calling the name of a celebrated poet, 
who had recently died, knew also about spirits. Also, Father 

-knew. Fie would write to him for me. But he would 

send me with his letter to a Priest at once, of the Paulists, near¬ 
by, and I should take along the confession written by this spirit 
claiming he was Shakespeare. 

The Paulist Priest read the great man’s letter, looked at me, 
and asked, “Are you a Catholic ?” I replied that I was not: that 
I came from a long line of Protestants. But, that here was the 
confession of this spirit, written to his dictation, and he claimed 
to have been in the dark for centuries. “I cannot see you, and 
I will not say a mass: for I believe Shakespeare has been in Para¬ 
dise for centuries. We have people coming here every day claim¬ 
ing they hear spirits, said Father C-and I send them away, 

we take no notice of them.” “Will you read the confession?” I 
asked. “No. No, I do not care to see it. Father Hughes is very 
ill, and this is a busy day for me.” He left hurriedly, saying: 

“Send- (the writer of the letter) to me. I would like 

to do anything I could for him, he is one of us.” He almost ran 
away from me. 

It was a bitter day in winter. Outside in the ice, and cold 
wind, my MMS. case under my arm, I paused, considering what 
to do next, thinking I was alone, of course. The voice said: 
“Never mind, Sarah: go home.” The same voice, as plain as my 
own voice, but different in grade, shade, strength. 

“I will not go home,” said I: “I will try again.” 

My letter was gone. I had now to speak for myself. How 
to go about asking for a mass for the souls, where the priests 
kept themselves who said these,—I must learn somehow, 

I walked to the Church. I saw women entering, and fol¬ 
lowed them. The first man I saw in clerical garb was repellent 
to me, for I thought, “You would not say it, either.” While I 
stood in this strange Church, where I had never been, wondering 
what to do, whom to ask, where to go, a Priest came from some 
sacred seclusion and, though other women were near, walked up 
to me, asking, “Did you want to see me?” 

“Yes, Father,” I said. “I have come to have a mass said for 
Two souls in darkness.” 






BACK from the Dead 


497 


He took out a small book, found a pencil, asked, “When 
would you like this mass said?” 

“As soon as possible,” said I. 

Tomorrow at Nine o’clock?” asked he. 

“Yes,” I said. 

“Will you attend this mass?” he asked me. 

“I will,” I replied. 

“What kind of a mass would you like?” he asked, them. 

“I do not know what kind to have: what would you advise?” 

“A High Mass, with three Priests, and a choir, is Fifty 
Dollars,” said he. 

“That is the kind I will have,” I said,- 

‘The names?” He then asked. 

“I trust it will make no difference to your religion, Father, 
when I tell you that it is a spirit asking me to have this mass 
said for him. And he claims to be Shakespeare himself. Here 
is this spirit’s confession, every word of which was spoken by a 
voice at my right side. And this spirit, Shakespeare, gave me 
the name of his friend for whom he wished this mass said, as 
well as himself. (When I told the name to the priest, which 
I have not told to anyone but the priest). 

This good priest, follower of Jesus Christ, hesitated for a 
moment, looked at me earnestly, and said: “No: I MUST say it.” 

This experience shows how all faiths and creeds are divided 
on this subject. 

The authoritative priest, being in high charge, drove 
me out with but a question, the delay of a moment, after he 
had found that I was not a Catholic. If it were Shakespeare, 
and if he were in darkness, did not concern him, or his heart, or 
his religion, evidently. HE had no use for the “spirits,” Shake¬ 
speare’s, or any others. Still, he prayed to them, knowing, or hop¬ 
ing, at least, that these heard him. Strange. 

The following morning, at Nine o’clock, I made my way 
back to the Church where a High Mass had begun; the coffin 
of Shakespeare being represented, with the foot and head candles, 
where the Priest was intoning FOR Shakespeare’s soul, a plea to 
Almighty God for his release from that darkness souls occupy 
after death, if they must pay Him, first before serving on His 
earth, I am told. 


498 


BACK from the Dead 


While this High Mass was in process, I, a Protestant, knelt 
alone, in a pew, this spirit beside me, replying to all said upon 
that altar which I did not comprehend but which he did, and 
replied thereto, by my side, IN spirit voice, which I wish were 
recorded for mortals with his works from spirit, that all might 
see the agonizing of spirit, after “death.” I wept, as truly I 
mourned, alone. 

When this mass was over, this Rev. Father stopped at my 
pew on his way out, asking me to come to the Parish House, 
when he would be there presently, after he had a cup of coffee. 
I did as requested. When this priest appeared, sat in the arm¬ 
chair at the table, and turning to me, said: “You seem to be 
an intelligent person. How long have you heard this spirit? I 
am not convinced of spirit return. Where do you live ? What is 
your name ? I would like to know how you hear this voice. What 
further it has to say. Will you be at home this afternoon, at half 
past One?” 

At this time, this priest came where I was living in a Hotel, 
when he was shown to my sitting room on the first floor. Here, 
in my own environment, this spirit gave this Rev. Father all the 
proof spirits can and do give that they are living, by giving to 
them personal messages from their very own, past the grave, 
proving that they are themselves by descriptions, names, incidents, 
all the family history, and past, discussed,—and I leave this line, 
now, as it is not for the public. All I shall say is, that THAT 
priest knows there are no dead. He is living still in body, and 
would not deny the work of his own father and mother that day, 
even if he were named, and known, to the world. This I know. 
First, this one did his duty to God FOR a soul, regardless of 
anything which seemed supernatural claim. After which he veri¬ 
fied the claim. I know this is recorded of him as true. And he 
shall not be brought into publicity by me, has never been. Shakes¬ 
peare proved himself, also, to this priest, by answering questions 
put to him (Shakespeare). Writing on various subjects for him. 

It was after this that my own troubles began. Fearing to 
lose the power of being heard this spirit kept the door open almost 
all of the time, writing sermons, sonnets, scientific questions an¬ 
swered for lawyers, answers to mortals who doubted, until I 
rebelled against serving this spirit further and went to the Min¬ 
ister who had prayed with me, where I took communion, and 


BACK from the Dead 


499 


to whose home I finally was invited for the purpose of banishing 
the voice. For it had compelled me AGAINST my will and 
wish, by punishment, to write both night and day, writing One 
Hundred and Six papers in Eighteen days. (See the records for 
proof.) Twice this “Man-of-God,” as he was named by this 
spirit, prayed into abeyance, silence, this voice. After which 
this spirit said he would not “stand by” again, as he had come to 
work a miracle In His Name FOR Him. The minister’s good 
wife slept by my side, I was cared for tenderly, the best of 
Christian charity went with all this, but it did not banish this 
voice, which I was instructed not to “listen to.” 

I had to reply, “when the church bells are ringing you are not 
listening for them, but they are ringing, and who can help hear¬ 
ing them ?” This was true in my own case. My good friend who 
wrote the letter to the priest for me was consulted, had masses 
said for me, but these availed nothing. I heard a spirit, and I 
could prove that it WAS a spirit to anyone who would permit 
me to prove it by giving them messages from the dead only a 
spirit could give, answering questions unasked, to the number 
of three for each one (See record for this proof with names) 
and it was my fate to BE COMPELLED TO SERVE TWO 
MASTERS because not one who tried could perform a miracle, 
as Jesus did of old, and banish a spirit from my side. 

I could not be a hindrance to this Minister, or his wife; 
and, being told by this spirit that he should remain despite all 
pleas, I worked as I was made, compelled, to write, the papers 
taking on a form, sequence, and the book he called, “SHAKES¬ 
PEARE’S REVELATIONS, was finished. During all this 
time of writing, two miracles were performed for me by 
Catholics, and Lourdes water. One was proclaimed a miracle 
by the late Father John Hughes, to my friend, the American 
immortal: and the other was the stopping of the voice, closing 
of the door, as this spirit calls it, by Catholic spirits’ help, 
when a scientist was endeavoring to use me as a “trance” medi¬ 
um, against my will, the same having been predicted in the 
book mentioned above. I could not read the headlines of the 
Newspaper because of spirit interference after I had given 24 
free sittings to the Psychical Research Society, to prove spirit 
presence, eternal life, for them. 

After I had given many readings to this Society (P. R. S. 


500 


BACK from the Dead 


American) and all they chose to send, or bring, I went to 
Boston, at Hyslop’s suggestion, paying all my own expenses, 
after they were all convinced, through proof, a spirit was doing 
this writing, and I was taken to Mme. Chenoweth (Minnie 
Soule), of Boston suburb, for four TRANCE readings, to 
prove if this were Shakespeare’s Spirit, or an impostor spirit. 
I was not permitted to go upstairs until this “only medium used 
for Scientific purposes” (Hyslop said to me) was in the trance 
state. Then, with my MSS. case in my lap, the blindfolded 
medium began to write laborously for Hyslop. (In Hyslop’s 
book, “Life After Death,” he says, “I PUT her into a trance.”) 

The first “reading” took exactly six minutes of time. Noth¬ 
ing was accomplished of value to me, or to this case, while the 
moaning, and effort, of the medium, in trance, was pitiful, 
indeed. Back to the Brunswick Hotel, to wait until the next 
morning at the same hour, for the same result. Four sittings 
were required, the longest taking eighteen minutes of time, 
which revealed to me no evidence that my own were there in 

spirit, but that “S-w (large S, small w) wrote the MSS. which 

should be “given to the world.” For this much I paid Twenty 
dollars, plus my expenses to Boston, including hotel, etc. Why 
I was not permitted a sitting and a visit with this medium in 
her conscious state, why I was kept away from Mrs. Soule 
the woman, I did not know then, but later found I was to be 
“used” for “trance” mediumship, against my will or even knowl¬ 
edge. 

The last evening of my sojourn in Boston for this purpose 
of proving if this spirit were Shakespeare’s, or, an impostor’s, I 
was phoned by Hyslop from his room that he would like me to 
go to Miss Lilian Whiting’s room in the same hotel (Brunswick) 
and that she would be awaiting me at Seven thirty. That I was 
not to take my MSS. but leave them in my room.” 

I went to Miss Whiting’s room, taking my MSS. with me. 
Was it not for these I had come to Boston ? Was it not All I had 
received for my Twenty Dollars, from the “scientific” medium, 
that they “WERE written by S—w. and should be given to the 
world?” Placing my portfolio on the floor, I was seated in a 
low chair, near Miss Whiting. We were alone, except for the 
unseen. After speaking a few words only, a virile mind, in spirit, 


BACK from the Dead 


501 


spoke to Miss Whiting, as I repeated for her what she cared 
to say. Many things literary, financial, were described which Miss 
Whiting understood, after which this voice said: “This is Kate. 
To prove I am here, I mention a charm under glass on a long 
chain worn by you, and me, and another across the sea where 
you left it” 

Miss Whiting said she had never received more authentic 
evidence of spirit presence, that it was her friend KATE FIELD, 
and that charm under glass mentioned by the spirit was a lock 
of Mrs. Brownings hair, on a long chain, which had belonged 
to Miss Field, which her family had presented to Miss Whiting 
after Miss Field’s death, and which she (Miss Whiting) had 
given to Robert Browning for his daughter, when she had last 
gone to Italy for the data for “The Life of the Brownings,” 
as that is what she thought Miss Field would like to have done 
with it.” But that was not all the evidence for spirits that 
evening. Miss Whiting’s own Mother proved her presence, 
described their home in Niagara Falls, (which was called, too) 
and this woman as she was in childhood, dresses, swings, etc. 
But this was not enough, and another test was given. Miss 
Whiting placed a photo-frame in my hand, saying, “see what 
you get from this.” I replied that I had never psychomotrized. 
Just see what is given you, said Miss W-. 

“Oh, yes,” said this virile mind again: “a picture of the 
young daughter of your friend who passed out in the early spring 
a few years hack” Correct, said Miss W-. She is the daugh¬ 

ter of a Professor, a dear friend. And turning the frame over, 
I saw the photograph of a beautiful maiden, having shoulder 
curls, about Sixteen years of age. 

That next morning our train left at Seven thirty. On the 
way to the station, Hyslop said: “That was good work you did 
last night. How many people could you see in a day?” I asked 
him how he knew of the work I had done last night, and he 
replied that Miss Whiting had phoned him this morning. Hyslop 
continued: “You are doing work equal to the best, and you 
should be paid as much as “the best.” We have a waiting list of 
Hundreds.” 

I replied it was against all principle to charge the dead 
for speaking for them, and I looked at it in that light,— 


502 


BACK from the Dead 


but that I had heard him say he would not use Mrs. Chenoweth 
for science until he had Thirty sittings with her, and I would give 
his Society that Number. “When will you start?” he said. As 
soon as I make a place fit for it,” I said. Getting in touch with 
this Society’s Stenographer, she knew of a place for these test 
readings,—this was rented by me, fitted up, at the expense of 
$500, after removing from storage my effects, to make a place ac¬ 
ceptable to spirits, Science, and mediumship as it should be rep¬ 
resented, also. Giving all my time, these people (24) came to me 
by Number, and I was known as Mrs. Blank. The Society’s 
stenographer took notes of all, and I served until I was about to 
enter the “trance” £tate, when a Catholic friend came to my 
rescue again, and with that spirifs' spirits the door was closed. 
This, too, is an illustrious, as well as famous, Artist, related to 
those in authority (Catholic) to whom hers in spirit have proved 
themselves remarkably. (Murphy.) (See the records for this 
proof.) 

In all I gave the Am. P. R. S. many more than 30 readings. 
More than Twelve to the office staff alone,—(See the records kept 
of these; Torch Press, Inc.). 

This voice continued to dictate, as I continued to prove, 
gratis, to all, refusing none, giving missionary messages in Parks, 
and hotels, and cafes, to strangers who would not consult 
“mediums,” or believe in “spirits”, for all the world. 

All written was religion in its purest state, Catholic, Holy 
Catholic. The sacred Name is on every page. All of import to 
religion, morality, Christian faith. Yet, the Protestants will not 
receive spirits, or their works, and the Catholics are forbidden by 
priests to accept a message from the dead under penalty of con¬ 
fession and penance, while the Spiritualists refuse this brand of 
spiritualism because it is of Jesus. Can anyone who reads this 
consider Jesus’ sacrifice as benefiting the world of mortals, when 
this subject of spirits is taboo in all religions, pulpits, yet OF 
God, Spirit, and His ? 

That the stone may be rolled away, and that mortals shall 
not be robbed of knowledge useful to them for eternity, I write 
this, my own experience with A spirit, all records being available 
in archives where for all time they will be searchable, too, both 
in Britain, and America, as well as Rome. 


BACK from the Dead 


503 


My part is a humble one. A wire, AGAINST my will, 
because of the power of a spirit to attach to mortal with speech, 
these have been written, are available to you , that you may profit 
by my time, solitude, as well as many sacrifices too sad to relate 
here. 

If the world of religionists, regardless of creed, dogmas, will 
work with the unseen, and for them, the two worlds may become 
one, when death will not part from living forms their very own, 
when His second coming may be hastened, when He can rule His 
kingdom in peace. Until materialists realize that His eternity 
holds no baubles; that life, close to Spirit, brings knowledge of 
preservation, of all worth-while to seekers; therefore , the riches 
of the world, as well as its pleasures, will be valued only by their 
everlasting qualities. Then this sixth sense, opening of closed 
doors, all may use to their profit only, and to aid Him, God, as 
was meant when He sent a Son to help Him, and He proved, for 
all time, that the soul of man is eternal, speaks, and is heard 
AFTER death, appears, and is seen, even to the nail-prints. 

And this will close my words, my poor attempt at explana¬ 
tion, of my own, of an experience so inexplicable, that only the 
a,b,c N of it is written here. 

It is only to stamp my record, with my own print, part, to 
reveal the truth as I was made to make it known, that I write 
even this much. For it cannot be written. How I know this spirit 
from others: how all have their own personalities, and come back 
to aid me, bringing something by which they can always be known 
beside their names: how my relatives recall the past: bless me 
daily: how near are the dead, how true, that it is impossible to 
“die”; can be realized only by human-wires, those who live with 
the dead. And, to live with spirits, is to prefer spirits to mortals, 
just as to live celibate is to rise above carnal living, or abstinence 
of meat is to abhor meat, so all spirituality is a stairway leading 
up, up to the heavens, maybe to God, Himself. Mischief spirits 
I have not known, nor troublesome spirits, nor “evil” spirits. If 
I have been protected from these by spirit helpers, or if my 
service for Almighty God places them outside by residence, I do 
not know. Only this I know, that I am never alone, but accom¬ 
panied by the unseen, but heard, spirits of God’s, as I believe 
every other mortal to be. 


504 


BACK from the Dead 

HOW SPIRITS SPEAK TO MORTALS 


A voice is still a voice AFTER “death”. This is true. It is 
as plain as any voice, yet it is without sound. Utterance exact, 
modified, tempered with stress or accent, as loud, louder, loudest, 
yet, it has no sound. How could this be, you say. It is like the 
soft pedal of the piano, only softer still. If there were another 
pedal which could place the notes which you alone could hear, 
while others listened and could not hear. If you can recall a 
hymn, for instance, with its every tone or note, you &now that 
tune, can hear it, although it is not being played by any notes,— 
That same “playing” is done by spirits. They have sung songs 
for me, hummed “Turkey in the straw”, Father has sung all his 
songs he used to sing, from Nellie Gray, to Captain Jinks. I 
heard him. The spirits prove personality by their own language, 
preferences, speeches, by-words, using every single one of them 
to prove their individuality, when we see them not, but hear 
them. Every spirit HAS their individuality, too. And they are 
unmistakable, if there is such a word. You know stranger’s rela¬ 
tives, when they come back, the next day, to say something they 
forgot to say to theirs when here, or to help you for having 
helped them. 

For instance, a voice will say 1 “The lady with the two tier 
cape is here ...” “Norway has come back to say . . .” If 
I cared to tell you who these were you would know why I remem¬ 
ber them. But one who hears spirits never forgets any spirit. 
Two kinds of flowers are different. Like resemblance of features, 
this seems illimitable. “Cordelia,” was called from the spirit, and 
recognized by the one who was being given communion with the 
dead at that time, while I knew at the very moment it was called 
that that very name had never been called from the spirit to me 
Lefore. 

Temper endures, brusque manner, positiveness, while gentle¬ 
ness and mildness and humility, and sweetness of disposition, all 
impress a sensitive at once, and they can describe these first, at 
times, before they know if the spirit representing them is male 
or female. I know WITHOUT seeing: I feel the presence to be 
as it is: and a sensitive is never mistaken, in this. This phase of 



BACK from the Dead 


505 


development, then, is present, BEFORE the screen of the mind 
is developed on which the spirits throw the pictures of themselves. 
Then, a medium describes from a picture in the back of the head: 
a flash so real that were I an artist I could paint every spirit I 
ever had shown to me on this film, back of the curtain, as it 
really is. For I cannot explain it in any other way. This develop¬ 
ment I speak of is so fine that W. S. said, “Would you like to see 
a germ, Sarah ?” And if I could paint that germ shown me on this 
curtain of the brain. It had even expression hideous and de¬ 
signing never to be forgotten, and was a mote only. With these pic¬ 
ture developments mediumship increases in power until, WITH¬ 
OUT a word, a message can be given and your affairs kept secret: 
all being understood by a description of the people and pictures 
thrown on this screen. Which the new scientists take no note of. 
Think of that. The UNseen, able to perform such wonders not 
INcluded in their “mind science.” Or acknowledged as existing, in 
fact. Well, they do not understand, they are ignorant, that is all. 
If you will not take an astronomer’s word regarding the planets, 
and he has a lens and is an expert on the subject, you must 
always be ignorant of astronomy. So with the science of spirit, 
and its painstaking experts: not all in one class, where science 
places them, by any means, not all fakirs. 


MEDIUMSHIP, IS A DEVELOPMENT, NOT A “GIFT” 


Who can see or hear the spirits?—Could everyone, if they 
tried ? Do you think some future time all will hear and see and 
the two worlds be one? What must I do to hear? These are 
asked of me so often: I wish I could answer them. 

All who wish and make the endeavor, true at heart, and for 
the right purpose, can develop mediumship, I have never known 
any who tried but did get from the unseen in some form. 
But I have known those who succeeded in getting in touch with 
the spirit world who had not the health, or endurance, or intelli¬ 
gence to use the powers furnished them. Then, can anyone say 
if they would continue to wish to hear or see, under any condi¬ 
tions whatever, if this development unfolded for them? “Ask 




506 


BACK from the Dead 


and ye shall receive-” Seek and ye shall find-” Ye cannot 

bear them now-” 

What do these mean to YOU. The harm that can come is 
that which may come from being’ molested by those who cannot 
see, who make false claims, who are tricksters, in spirit. Why 
do you wish to sit in the dark to see spirits God shut away from 
your sight which He could bring to mortal’s eyes with His word 
or will? You must have some motive, what is it? Just curiosity. 
Or to make money. To write for a spirit is to give up your 
birthright. To help on spirits is to hear voices, see forms, you 
do not know as well as your own, unless protected yours come 
to you at dawn each day with a message, with proof, and you are 
guided by your own in spirit. 

“Mediumship is the opening of closed doors, not a sudden 
burst of powers.” (W. S. in spirit.) How true. And until today 
there is still another door higher up,—“We are opening a door 
higher up,” says this voice to me: meaning you may be prepared 
for a change in development, a finer tuning is taking place. 

To use a ouija board, and sit submissive to spirit influence, 
is like going into a jail and saying to its inmates, “Here am I, use 
me for anything you see fit.” You may never see the spirit who 
writes through your hand, while you give up your brain-house, 
your thinking-process to one unseen who may or may not have 
divinity enough to treat you with justice, appreciation. 

Would I do this, if I were you? I would not. I would not 
exchange with anything or anyone for my experience, as it in¬ 
cludes my parents and my sister, who have been my comforting 
companions. But my own Minister believes that I have “served 
two masters,” and that I shall have to pay for this, even though 
the spirit had Divinity’s cause at heart, and all he wrote was to 
make a better world for better mortals, out of the warning of his 
soul, past death. 

To be a slave to any unseen or seen spirit, or to give the 
holiest attributes of life, freedom and thought, and creative 
power, to another to mend up their time or profit them, must you 
be certain you will profit in the end when God requires you to bring 
Him that time and light He gave to you by which you shall be 
judged of Him, truly. Then, this spirit tells in his writings that 
it is a broken law to molest mortals. And to take their house for 





BACK from the Dead 


507 


trance purposes, storming the castle as he calls it. He also claims 
he was given this chance to better the world for God, and that 
he has done so. 

Thought will welcome your own. They are there already. 
Each may get in touch with their very own, and with these alone. 
I know this, I know those who are. Then, can you take a full 
and educated mind, intelligence, having powers to help you for¬ 
ever by using your time in body for the highest development of 
your own soul. 

Three priests, and one minister tried to rid me of this spirit 
so I should not have to serve as I have, but none could perform 
the miracle, and I was able to serve through punishment, third 
degree, verily, when I refused. Oh yes, there are spirits. Once 
this spirit “stood-by” as he spoke of silence, for the man of God 
who prayed with me for him to go his way. After that the spirit 
refused to obey, and the writing began and took form, and con¬ 
tinued, until Feb. 20th, 1922, from Dec. 19, 1916. 

“To rid me of this spirit”, means to compel him to cease 
speaking to me. No spirit ever obsessed me. No Scientist knows 
what “obsession” is. 


WHY THE INCORPORATION WAS FORMED TO PUB¬ 
LISH THIS SPIRIT'S WORKS 


After the American Society For Psychical Research had been 
given proof this was a spirit writing these papers, and they took the 
form of a religious argument FOR, not against, Jesus, and after I 
had been to Boston proving it WAS Shakespeare’s Spirit writing, 
after I had proved through Miss Lilian Whiting that spirits were 
speaking to me as well as to others, by giving her such evidential 
scientific proof. I then took the MSS. of the first book, Shake¬ 
speare’s Revelations By Shakespeare’s Spirit (Named by the 
Spirit who wrote it) to Harpers, leaving it with Mr. Ripley 
Hitchcock. 

A few days after I had left the papers at Harpers, I received 
a letter from Mr. Hitchcock, asking if I would call for the MSS. 




508 


BACK from the Dead 


Which I preferred to do. In this letter Mr. Hitchcock admitted 
he had read a MSS. dictated by the spirit world, but that he did 
not see how he could publish it successfully at this time. 

This letter was dated May 1st, and was among the last Mr. 
Hitchcock ever wrote. He passed into spirit May 4th, at a ban¬ 
quet given by his fatherinlaw for the Blue Devils of France, at 
the Park Avenue Hotel. 

The MSS. then traveled to Small Maynards, Duttons; Holts 
went to see it for the purpose at my request at the Society’s 
Rooms,—but all refused to add their names, or take a chance 
that Shakespeare could write after death, or prove he could. 
Then this spirit said “We shall have to make our own Company, 
Sarah, and put our works out independent of Publishers or So¬ 
cieties, else they would be lost after all our wonders and trials.” 
What I did thereafter was what they did. In other words the 
spirits themselves formed their own Company, named it, advised 
regarding it and its many trials, chose the printers, colors for the 
book and ink, even,—as all spirit works following the first also. 

When it reached the distributers, I had to prove to these 
I was in touch with spirits themselves. And this was done. But 
I could not reach all sceptics, those Knights of the Road, who 
believed this book and the one following, “For Jesus’ Sake,” to 
“have been written by a medium to make money.” As I was told 
by the ones who would sell it. 

But this spirit kept on, undaunted by anything mortals 
thought. To BE in spirit was to have known all this beforetime, 
I suppose. They even told me of these trials, you who care to 
look through the books themselves. 

To the Pacific Coast twice, to give my time and self to those 
most competent there, who stand for all that is above reproach in 
soul findings, Dr. B. F. Austin, and Dr. James M. Peebles, doing 
missionary work on the trains and in the Parks and Hotels, and 
everywhere, giving to those who sat near me, who would not, for 
anything in the world “believe in spirits,” messages from theirs 
WITH them, who invariably proved themselves there. All of 
which I could not record for Science, Spirit, spirits, Mediumship, 
Spiritualism, or this truth, because it would be impossible to keep 
such records, they would break me down. 


BACK from the Dead 509 

WHY ARE MEDIUMS ALL POOR? WHY IS THERE 
NOT UNISON OF SPIRITUALISTS? 


WHY DOES NOT SPIRITUALISM PROSPER? 
WHY DO MINISTERS DENY THIS TRUTH? AS WELL 
AS PRIESTS? 


“If a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight 
against God/’ (Acts. 23) 

While much is published against mediums accepting fees for 
consultations, I have never known of, heard of, a single medium 
who was prosperous, lived in luxury, even extended comfort. 
Their lives, residences, being precarious. Notwithstanding all 
the press vitriolic claims against these wires for the dead, and the 
paid for propaganda against spiritualism, we found by honest 
investigation of these human wires, that the reverse is true, they 
are materially poor. Those who lead in this cause are also with¬ 
out funds and are known to exist merely, giving generously for 
the cause if they can, whenever they can do good. I speak now 
of those mediums who are religious, prayerful, obedient to God’s 
laws, reverent, and believers in His truth and willing servants of 
His. You may be surprised to learn there are many such every¬ 
where, and they are materially poor. “Leave ALL that ye have 
and follow Me.” 

The lack of Unity among spiritualists, those two factions 
represented by the National Ass’n. and the Independent Spiritual¬ 
ists, is fatal to the cause of Spirit: God’s cause, which He must 
have sent Jesus to prove that the world would consider spirit 
everlasting, on earth, present, hoping for the two worlds to work 
in unison, with God. That all of His Disciples knew this truth 
of spirit from His teachings, all know who read or study. That 
Jesus held seances with these, in that upper room, and waited 
there upon the doubter, Thomas, until he, too, was convinced of 
the truth of the spirit living unchanged after death, all know, 
including priests and ministers. Yet these revile this truth, con¬ 
sider it not, preach it not, shy clear of it if it is mentioned, and 
lead away from it in their discourses in pulpits, when they are 
not defaming and slandering all who do believe in it, and those 




510 BACK from the Dead 


who care if it is true or wish to know more of it from those who 
can tell them. 

Should all acknowledge Jesus mission? If they are Chris¬ 
tian? Do any look for His Second coming, or preach it who 
revere not His ascension WITH His body, after appearance in 
spirit form ? Why do Ministers of the Gospel never refer to the 
things of the spirit ? Or speak of the dead being able to help the 
living as Jesus did, and promised He should continue to do for 
believers? These chapters seem closed Books in this era, when 
God needs their help. 

“They do not wish the door of spiritualism opened,” said a 
good Catholic to me. How is this? Those who fling aside the 
Bible must be irreverent, even if their garb be clerical, Catholic 
or Protestant. If Jesus CAME to PROVE this truth of spirit, 
and “they do not wish the door opened” are they working FOR 
Him? Or against Him? They prosper materially, financially. 
They give no seat free, no prayer free, no Mass is said without 
money. “The first shall be last, and the last first.” “It is easier 
for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich 
man to enter the kingdom of God.” 

Then, all the saints to whom these pray, these must be near 
to them? So near, in fact that the “evil” spirits are among them. 
Affiliating as they must with the Saints in spirit, there should be 
hope that His doctrine would prevail. 

“It is a very unhealthy study and investigation,” said one 
Minister to me, of the Episcopalian faith. If the Saints are 
among us, hear our prayers to them, should it not be possible to 
talk WITH Saints? Especially for these Ministers and Priests? 
And, to perform miracles, like the banishing of spirits, the cure 
of lepers, and all that Jesus, WITH spiritualism, did perform, 
telling them that those “who come after Me shall do greater 
things than these.” 

Did not Jesus speak with Paul in the way? “Did our hearts 
not burn within us when He talked with us by the way?” And 
is it not written that Paul spoke FOR Jesus Who spoke through 
Him, as Jesus claimed that the Father put the words into His 
mouth that He spoke, as He counseled His to take no thought 
of what they should say, for the “words would be given to them.” 

Are present day Priests and Ministers following AFTER 
HIM ? Where are their miracles, why are these not performed 


BACK from the Dead 511 

as their proof that Jesus is with them? And they are His fol¬ 
lowers ? 

BECAUSE everlasting Life is NOT preached, in ANY pul¬ 
pit, and men are gatherers of wool instead of Spirit. Because 
men are having THEIR way instead of following His Way. 
Not “wanting the door opened” His sufferings are vain. His 
sacrifice for naught. HE CAME as well as DIED for this truth 
of spirit, eternal life after death: and He proved it leaving His 
record of proof in that Book all should read of and speak of and 
search for, Truth. Politics He did not preach from the Temple. 
But Charity. Love. Forbearance. His Father In Heaven. The 
Commandments. 

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and ALL these things 
shall be added unto YOU.” 

It speaks well for mediums that they make sacrifices to prove 
His truth: give their time, brain, strength,—and feel only pity 
for the men in pulpits who HAVE His Laws and Teachings, and 
Gospels, yet set up false claims against those who, as Jesus, hear 
the dead or see the spirits of God in whatever place He holds 
them, earth or heaven. Is “the laborer worthy of his hire?” 

To all who do their best of these, in private as well as public 
office, paid or unpaid, these “know” as Jesus knew, but in lesser 
degree, and are closer to Spirit than the ones who decry them, 
deride their best efforts, and begrudge them bread FROM those 
efforts. Only mediums know how weakened they become giving 
freely of psychic essence for the bereaved, the Godless, infidels 
who never again are Unbelievers, after the “so-called “dead” 
prove to them that they live and can help them to help themselves 
before it is too late. 

Too material are the men of pulpits, too anxious after Mam¬ 
mon and the Dollar sign, to “get in touch” with spirit voices them¬ 
selves, except the few. These I have spoken with, held the wire 
to enlighten, heard them say, “I know: I see the light and hear 
the voice myself: and I never do anything without its guidance.” 
Some few. Others are not open to conviction, for they “do not 
want the door of spiritualism (Spirit) open.” 

“After that He appeared in another form unto two of them.” 

“How is it that ye do not understand?” (Jesus) 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


512 


BACK from the Dead 

WHAT VALUE HAS THIS PROOF? 


WHAT VALUE HAS ANY TRUTH ? WHAT USE IS 
RELIGION WITHOUT THIS TRUTH? 


FOR WHAT DID JESUS COME, DIE, EXCEPT THIS 
PROOF OF SPIRIT, WHICH DIES NOT, LIVES 
ON, SPEAKS, HAS THE SAME FORM? 


The value of anything is its true worth. The truth of life 
itself is one of God’s mysteries, is it not? All life, including 
mortal life. The truth of death is God’s proof, Jesus Christ: 
His birth, miracles through this power of spirits and Spirit, His 
death, return in spirit form, ascension with His body to That 
Heaven where He told all He should go to be with His Father 
Who had sent Him. 

Of myself I cannot argue these questions. As I write this 
paper, having thought of the many questions asked me by those 
who were mystified after receiving this proof from their own in 
spirit, after death, I wrote down at the top of this page these few 
which were more often asked than others, of me. Realizing that 
I do not comprehend this power of spirit, I know the different 
shades of voice with sound, then know of the form of spirit 
work called inspiration (See my own book BIRDS OF PAS¬ 
SAGE, note the spirit work there, which I now do, but did not 
when I wrote or published it) then I shall be helped with this 
paper I am writing even though I hear no voice? Perhaps, I 
do not know. However I am trying to write this book myself, 
being able to think and with my own process, so far as I know, 
describing what happened to me, and how much of it I under¬ 
stand. 

As all material things have only the value placed upon them 
by their individual possessors, so all spiritual truths have the same 
value, this meaning only what you take it to mean, with or with¬ 
out this experience, miracle, of communication after death, of 
yours, with their own proof, as different as individuals. 

Then, has Spirit, or His miracles, creations, any value to 
You who read this,—or, being unreceptive of mind, and soul 





BACK from the Dead 513 

(spirit) do you ignore His coming, and going, and all which has 
been revealed for you of God and His eternal life? 

The proof, hundreds of people speaking with theirs in the 
body who are out of the body but have the same form, who are 
able to make some mortals hear them, see them, should mean 
something to you, as well as to your soul. 

Have you ceased to care where yours are who have died? 
Do you care if they are homeless here on the same earth, having 
no shelter except that which you make for them, and no love 
except yours, which perhaps places them in a graveyard and 
forgets them except on some decoration day, thinking them so far 
away in bliss that they do not need you, your love, thoughts, con¬ 
stancy. For it is terribly true that they are with you who have 
died, and that they need you more than you need them. 

The dead cannot send you a postal even. However great 
their influence, and wealth while in the body, this is their state 
after death. Unless You seek them, care for them, to find them, 
they will not affright you, molest you, unhinge you who think 
only “evil” ghosts walk here on the earth, since preachers preach it 
to you, and your religion takes these at their word instead of 
taking Jesus at His word: “Seek and ye shall find.” 

How base your estimate of the Un-Christian has been. Does 
this include you then, if you give no thought to Jesus of His 
miracles, His promises, or His proof that all should never die. 
What value has Easter to You? The day of lilies, representing 
the only One Who could rise in purity, because He was God’s 
Son. He even descended into hell. “He descended into hell. 
The third day etc.” 

Little children are here. Mothers, and Fathers who were 
Ministers, Priests in numbers, babies in arms: what then? Are 
none arisen in glory? “It is not mine to give, but the Father’s 
Who sent me.” He could not promise His disciples that they 
should arise, or sit on His right or left. That is God’s Own plan, 
and He is the Judge. “In my Father’s house there are many 
mansions. Were it not so I would have told you.” (Jesus) 

Do you care if God’s work is hindered or, taking Him at His 
word, with His proof (Jesus, whose spirit came back to prove 
He lived still, even with the nail prints the same) you must live 
as you would be found after death. Death works no miracles. 
Eventually everyone is what they made themselves, marred by 


514 


BACK from the Dead 


their choices. Known of all as they are, regardless of crimes, 
Godless lives without Him,—those who cared nothing for Divine 
History, or the Power of worlds on High, but defamed Him by 
their lack of care, belief, even to explaining His wonders, all He 
has kept and may even keep from mainkind, who have only the 
intelligence of their kind this day of our Lord. 

Then, to revere God, you will reverence His Holy Ghost 
(“He made a man in His image”) and all His ghosts, His reflec¬ 
tions of Himself, undying as God, His breath. Moses heard the 
Laws of God. He was clairaudient. Power unseen gave him those 
words for you, for all, which if followed would make His king¬ 
dom come. “Deliver us from evil” (Jesus) was the prayer He 
taught His disciples to say when they prayed, for He saw spirits, 
lived among the so-called dead, as well as with mortals, and as 
the Man of Sorrows He counselled His to pray to His Father 
(Our Father) for protection from “evil.” Then death alters 
nothing in the man. If he is evil before death he remains evil 
until he reforms after death. Then there is evil after death be¬ 
cause men will not believe in eternal life, as eternal sorrow, if 
they have earned but this. 

If you do not care if the dead are dead, you will not, and 
cannot help God’s kingdom to come on earth. Deserting Him 
and His cause, what you deserve may fall to your lot, has fallen 
to the lots of all who ever spoke to me from after death condi¬ 
tions. No one brands you this deserter but yourself, and you 
can brand no one for your curse you find yourself, no loop-holes 
for those arguments of intelligence ( ?) you use, those infidel laws 
you made which were acceptable to You instead of those He 
spoke for you to Moses, preached and explained to you through 
Jesus Christ, His Son. 

Death then solves the future for mankind. Life is a bauble. 
So insecure is breath. So fleeting. All must continue to live as 
they chose to live while a body spoke, and reflected, their choice. 
To overcome evil this truth regarding death must be shared, pos¬ 
sessed, shown to each individual in a body, now. To overcome 
death you must live so that you can see and hear those who pass 
out of their bodies who live, see, hear, and prove it to all who 
are in bodies who care and seek the truth and them. “God is a 
God of the living, not of the dead.” All live. There are no dead. 

Then, if you care, if you are Christian, or if you are God’s 


BACK from the Dead 


515 


children, you will set great value on the pearl of great price, the 
Truth, there is no death. There should be no parting: to some 
there is no veil. The Comforter came for this. “Those who have 
ears to hear, let them hear.” 

This is my experience of hearing spirits, those who live after 
death, and have proved they are alive, surviving with all that 
made them, including memory, personality, and love. And this 
book is the true record of souls who live after death, their proof. 

Sarah T. Shatford. 


MORTALS AS SEEN BY ONE MEDIUM 


“As through a glass darkly,” but “as face to face”. 

The thin partition subdividing (?) (I suppose) the universe 
IS sometimes punctured to permit some mortals vision or hearing, 
as well as “development” in all the phases of the latter, OF spirit 
guidance, I know, and have reason to know, too. 

Mediums never speak for themselves. These take all the re- 
vilement poked at them by the very learned ( ?) “Scientists” group 
(here in America only, not so in England or France) Why? 
Do mediums care, knowing humanity better than they do know 
themselves, what guides them, fascinates them, controls them, 
uses them, to make them utter what they do against the ones 
having a development, power, if spiritually minded. They do 
not care. As Miss Whiting has written in “They Who Under¬ 
stand,” these who know, know “that which is bom of the spirit 
is spirit.” “They who understand” care very little for mortals, 
or their words, falseness, spitfires. “Let them be ignorant still.” 
The pearl of great price YOU must seek for your own self: I 
may not BE you. “That which is bom of the flesh is flesh.” 
“Seek and ye SHALL find.” 

As Flammarion knows, and knows that he knows, this truth 
of life after death, proof of surviving memories, personalities, 
and all that made individuals themselves,—regarding it in his 
own language as “his most important discovery,” so mediums 
know mortals, as well as things these regard as yet undiscovered. 

I never knew a medium who was not charitable toward the 
press and kindly disposed towards the clergy who did not com¬ 
prehend the reasons (plural, many) why these are not “open to 
conviction (or, having been convinced are subject to the threats 




516 


BACK from the Dead 


of priests, or clergy, who pass over the reasons of Jesus’ spirit 
return, as birth, as well as His experience with spirits, prophecies, 
foretelling, as His disciples miracles, and His promise that all 
should do greater things than He, even, who came after Him,) 
who did not know why mortals are ignorant, or prefer to be so. 
Mediums can be given nothing by mortals that would add to their 
experiences with the so-called “dead”. There is nothing can 
compare with its truth, proof, convictions, comforts, blessings. 
Even if taken for its proof against the will, used for the comfort 
of others both in spirit and body, this is true. That which con¬ 
trols mortals beside ignorance, makes “pearls of great price” 
almost too valuable to share with such of the human family. 

To many of them miracles are not enough, proof either,— 
unless they can bang on the doors and have them opened to them. 
Some are ingrates: some beyond belief. One medium speaks who 
took nothing from these, but gave and gave until these monsters 
of cruelty and dishonesty, broke their promises to write their 
gratitude and acknowledgments: after days of efforts and mira¬ 
cles, they made off with their pearls, disregarding their debt to 
this medium, a mere statement that they had found there was no 
death. Invariably these were of the educated class. That every 
medium worth the name HAS suffered for the truth Jesus died 
to bring into the world, borne a cross for Him placed on them 
by mortal's ingratitude and dishonesty, is written both in history 
and the records of this day. 

As these have been willing to burn at the stake for this truth, 
gave up their mortal bodies to suffer as the inhumane of this 
specie (mortals) caused them to suffer, speaks not only for their 
honesty, but places them among the martyrs of God, since He 
left these doors open that they might see, hear, spirits, perform 
miracles (?) for Him? 

The treasures He gives through the experiences of medium- 
ship “death” cannot take, neither inhuman, Godless factors. The 
doors He opens, closed to most, are valued more than anything 
this world holds, could offer, bestow. In fact, the only thing that 
matters at all is this truth, and the proof of it, that there is no 
dying, death, extinction, no Paradise but that you take along at 
death’s parting breath, no man but what you are, that dogma will 
save no one: not any; only God and His truth, Jesus, Whom He 
sent, to show why life was given Him; to be eternal. 


BACK from the Dead 


517 


‘‘Inculcate the Saviour Song in my Book." 

* 

“W. S. Spirit 

WITH the notes, let me say." 
“Last leaves in the Book." W. S. 


WHEN THE WORLD IS READY FOR THE SAVIOUR 
Music by J. M. B. 

Over every battlefield, over every grave, 

Over every mountain, over every wave, 

Christ shall come in glory, 

His own to claim and save, 

When the world is ready for the Saviour. 

After ruthless cannonades, after all is done, 

After weeping Mothers mourn their missing sons, 

Christ shall ease the heartache, 

And bind the bleeding wounds, 

When the world is ready for the Saviour. 

Only human brotherhood, peaceful, loving, kind, 

Only Christly kindness, worth seeking to find, 

Ever can make nations 
Of a single mind. 

When the world is ready for the Saviour. 

Chorus 

Watching, watching, watching for the Saviour, 

When the morning breaks and the night is o’er: 
Watching, watching, watching for the Saviour, 

Peace, Forevermore. 


LIST OF SHAKESPEARE’S SPIRIT BOOKS 


SHAKESPEARE’S REVELATIONS 

By Shakespeare's Spirit 

This book, which required one year of constant effort to take 
to spirit dictation, was proved for two years following its com¬ 
pletion to men of the Cloth, Laymen, Scientists, Researchers, 
Jews, Catholics and Protestants. Price, $2.50 

FOR JESUS’ SAKE 

By Shakespeare's Spirit 

“For Jesus’ Sake”—The Prayers of Shakespeare’s Soul. 
“These should be on every Christian pulpit.” From “Reason,” 
Nov., ’20. Price , $1.10 

JESUS’ TEACHINGS 

By Shakespeare's Spirit 

Taken to a spirit’s dictation, direct voice. Proved scientifically 
by messages from the dead (so called). Scientific proof through 
spirit voice includes proof which only a spirit could give that 
love, memory, and personality continue after “death.” No altera¬ 
tions in any MSS. dictated by this Spirit. Price, $1.50 

MY PROOF OF IMMORTALITY 

By Shakespeare's Spirit 

with Theatrical Production: “My Demised Act.” 

Seven years of scientific, evidential proof given free to hun¬ 
dreds of persons in all walks of life by the medium who took 
Shakespeare’s Spirit Books. 

Written in three parts—containing 518 pages. 

PART I—My proof of Immortality—By Shakespeare’s Spirit. 
PART II—Scientific Proof, Evidential Proof of survival after 
death of Memory, Personality, Love, and Affection. Proof 
which only spirits could give in each case. 

PART III—BACK from the dead. 

History of this case, mediums who have seen Shakespeare’s 
Spirit, Mediumship, Clairaudience, How Spirits Speak to Mor¬ 
tals, Mediumship is a development, not a gift. Price, $3.50 

Order from your own Book Store, or address nearest distributor. 

THE TORCH PRESS, Inc. 

137 East 25th Street, New York City 


J. F. ROWNEY PRESS 

662 Walker Auditorium Building, Los Angeles, Calif. 




































































































